WhIP

by footfungus

nederlands verhalen over mijn otp

231. Chapter 231

Vixere

mitsuboo

Summary:

Every constellation in the sky tells a story of someone's future. When one shares a star with another, their paths intertwine forevermore. There is no avoiding loving this person. They are soul mates, bound by destiny.

In which the biggest threat to the Fatui happens to be Childe's soulmate, and he does everything in his power to prevent the inevitable relationship between them.

Notes:

Translation into中文-普通话 國語available:灵魂伴侣bydqshelly

Translation intoРусскийavailable:Vixerebymayoyay

(See the end of the work fornotes.)

Chapter 1: Viatrix and Monoceros Caeli

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter fornotes.)

Chapter Text

La Signora,

You have taken something from my friend and hurt the pride of Mondstadt. Prepare to face your death, I do not forgive easily. This is war, La Signora, and nothing will stop the eternal meteor of justice.

Watch your back.

- Lumine

P.S. you're a bitch

"Well, she's not wrong."

"That isnotwhy I showed you the letter, Tartaglia." La Signora had nails like a cat and a smile like a snake. She was as cold as Snezhnaya's highest mountain and smelled faintly of overbearing perfume. Hissing, she snatched the parchment out of Childe's hands, "Are you really that dumb?"

Not particularly, and the question was rhetorical anyhow. If he knew anything, he knew that La Signora was a bitch - in his opinion, at least. She did not visit his office in order to share a splendidly hilarious letter and he was aware of that, but it didn't mean he couldn't enjoy it. An insult to La Signora was a compliment to him, something that brought out the sun behind the clouds and brightened his rainy, boring days. The hatred burning behind her scowl was merely a warm campfire in his heart of hearts.

"Yes, yes, I know," he leaned on his desk and put a gloved hand to his chest, "but I do appreciate the laugh."

The 8th Harbinger had blessed the 11th with a visit, something neither of them enjoyed. The Tsaritsa, in her infinite kindness, insisted that La Signora contact Tartaglia and warn him of the possible wrench in the upcoming plans. The wrench in the form of a tiny girl who looked as if she could not even lift her sword. Thus, La Signora's irritation level was high and her patience for Childe's mask of politeness rather low.

With a roll of her eyes and a sigh, she rubbed the bridge of her nose, "I'm happy to have amused you so. The traveler will most likely come here next in search of the gnosis."

"Yes, I know."

Surehe did. She leveled her gaze with his and continued to ignore the quip, "She was a weakling, but with her vendetta against me..." the letter crumpled in her fist, "she might be a challenge to your presence here."

If he did not have a presence in the first place, then this conversation would not need to happen. Tartaglia had been warnedatleast37 times about the dangers of staying in the open in the way he did. No heeding to such warnings had ever been made by him, providing a true testament to the codename 'Childe' - he was as arrogant as one.

The arrogance returned in the form of a furrow-browed stare and pursed lips. He looked at her as if she'd told him she collected toenails and hilichurl spit for her breakfast. "What are you saying, Signora? Hm?"

The 'hm', spoken so innocently with the tilt of his head and a tight smile, said all she needed to know. His skin wasn't easy to dig under, but she knew all the right spots. "You know what I'm saying."

"I reallydon't."

His chuckle was easy, his voice breathy. He furrowed his brows together and stared, waiting for an answer that would not Signora was pushing his buttons on purpose. Probably for laughing at the 'P.S. you're a bitch' part of her letter. But how could henot?

Lumine, the mysterious traveler who solved all of Mondstadt's problems, was sending threatening letters to one of the Harbingers. She used standard mailing and couriers, which had to be the most asinine part of it all. La Signora received the letter from a very confused Fatui recruit - it was a mystery how the courier found her - while stationed in her latest location, and nearly ripped it up - if not for the command from the Tsaritsa to inform Tartaglia of the storm arriving. La Signora argued that the weak traveler was not quite astorm, but more of a soft morning snow, harmless and fun to play with.

Yet, orders were orders. She told Tartaglia of the traveler's next move, and her business was finally done in this ostentatious bank of his."You know what I mean," a tight-lipped smile and a sparkle of mischief in her eyes. She put a hand on her hip and turned towards the door, "Be careful, won't you?"

As if she truly cared whether Tartaglia was careful or not. He could go jump off the highest mountain in Liyue and she'd open a bottle of wine to celebrate.

Childe - Tartaglia - had to simply remind himself of the latest command from the Tsaritsa herself. 'Please try to not kill each other', and her voice was so soft and her eyes so warm, how could he disobey? He could not kill La Signora, notthen.

"Oh, and," he nearly flinched in annoyance as she whipped around to face him with the most demure of smiles possible, "you should keep a better eye on your staff. I see they've been slacking off lately."

"Great," another breathy chuckle meant to disguise his annoyance, "I'll talk to them."

"See that you do that."

The sound of her heels on the marble flooring was near maddening. He followed her out of the office, "Pleasure, as always, Signora."

It was not. She deigned to acknowledge him with a haughty huff, crossing her arms and allowing her guards to lead her down the staircase. They wouldn't be seen on the Liyue streets as she left, going to wherever she was stationed nearby. La Signora did not tell him, and he found that he truly didn't care.

Uncrossing his arms with a sigh, Childe closed the double doors behind him. He couldn't stand another minute in that room, with her perfume permeating the air and threatening to choke him where he stood. There was not ever a time when La Signora did not make him angry in some way. He walked down the stairs and thought of her words, the letter, and the traveler.

For someone described as so positively weak, this Lumine seemed to have confidence in her abilities to carry out her vengeance. It was funny, in a way, and almost refreshing. Someoneneededto threaten Signora with goofy letters every once in a while - the Tsaritsa stopped him from doing so after the 15th letter goading Signora to fight him to the death.

The bank was empty of customers due to the arrival of the 8th Harbinger. He thought he caught Ekaterina watching La Signora's exit with admiring eyes and parted lips. If only she knew the personality underneath the demure facade, she'd never look at her that way again. Sliding up to her desk, he leaned on the counter and rested his chin in his palm. Casual, laid-back, and not at all burning with fiery hatred.

One aspect Childe appreciated about the receptionist was her bold nature. He supposed that to work in customer service one must be that way naturally. Ekaterina didn't hesitate to have rowdy citizens kicked out, or to ever look him in the eye. Now, her gaze slid away from where La Signora had stood, leveling him with the formal pleasantries she always held, "Master Childe?"

To the point, like the end of a blade. One could not hesitate in battle. "That woman tells me that she's noticed some staff slacking off."

A subordinate would not dare to refer to a Harbinger as'that woman', the banter between the higher ups always seemed to take the recruits by surprise. She put a hand to her chest and sighed, cheeks still pink with admiration, "I'm afraid I don't know. She didn't speak to me."

"But have you noticed anything?" He waved a casual hand, "You're around everybody else far more than I."

She thought for a moment with a thin finger to her chin, eyes turned upward. The guards at the front of the bank opened the doors to allow citizens back inside for their various loans and accounts, now that the coast was clear of icy women wearing very little clothing. "You know, Ihavenoticed some of the other receptionists tittering about some old woman that can read the stars and tell fortunes, it's even spread to the guards," she eyed a muscled man besides the door, "but I believe it's just simple office gossip."

Simple office gossip, as if they were a simple bank in the middle of a simple town. Right. He smiled, "La Signora's probably just offended that they're not cowering in fear like her own staff."

"Right, as always, Master Childe."

Right, as always. He liked that. "Keep an eye on them for me, okay? If it starts interfering with things then don't hesitate to let me know. This week is going to be busy with the Rite of Descension coming up."

Andhewould be busy with tracking down this 'Lumine' character, the honorary Knight of Favonius. He couldn't imagine what could be sillier than the title of 'honorary knight', as if she simply wasn't good enough to be arealknight.

Rumors were like feathers on the wind, so easily plucked out and kept to himself. He was a master at chasing them down and finding the truth behind each one, but this Lumine was a master at staying on the down-low. She'd spoken to Fatui agents in Mondstadt, and it was reported to Childe that she was looking for a missing person, but would not say who. It was enough, though, enough for him to have something over her head.

And she, apparently, was weak. She was held down by two Fatui agents while La Signora stabbed the anemo Archon, and she could do nothing about it. Suffice to say, Childe was not impressed, and not expecting very much at all.

But her threatening letter was good. He'd have to remember that, maybe frame it and put it up on his wall like a motivational poster. 'Eternal meteor of justice' had a ring to it that brought a smile to his face.

Whoever this traveler was, she had taste, and style, even if weak. He couldn't wait to meet her.

"And," Ekaterina interrupted his thoughts, "a few of them have been late to work because they go ask her about the weather, and we had one guy quit yesterday because his future was supposedly anywhere else buthere. Oh, and another receptionist has claimed at least three of our customers are her true love because that star reader said something about him having brown eyes."

Right. Brown eyes and weather and quitting on the spot, he'd heard something about that for the few seconds he paid attention to work earlier. Sighing, he pushed away from the counter and shook his head, "I guess I have no choice but to talk to this lady, she's causing more trouble than I thought."

"Be careful, Master Childe," the receptionist covered a subtle smile, "she might tellyourfuture too, and charge you 3,000 mora per minute."

He sighed. La Signora was most likely writing the Tsaritsa a letter at this very moment, highlighting his absolute failings as a Harbinger/bank manager and the wildness of his staff. He could not bear the feeling that thought gave him. It would be worth 3,000 mora a minute to get that woman off his back about how he ran his business.

"I'll be back," he smiled, "I'm just gonna have a little talk with her. Probably nothing will come of it."

How little he knew.

"Okay, so, tomorrow is the festival, Rite of Descension thing, and we talk to Rex Lapis. Then we head straight back to Mondstadt."

"Right! Well… not the Mondstadt part," Paimon remained unusually critical this evening, hands on her hips and pout on her lips, "Paimon thinks we should stay in Liyue until this whole thing is figured out!"

Lumine grimaced, "What if we just say hi, and then warn him and take our leave? He's an Archon, I'm sure he can defend himself." Venti had been low on power anyhow, surely a powerful Archon could defend himself against another Harbinger. Lumine had much better things to do than play bodyguard for some rock-god.

Truth be told, Lumine's heart was elsewhere.

She was smitten. She was head over heels. She could not get him off her mind; in love and not able to bear being away from him any longer.

Huffman.

A Knight of Favonius. With his cloud-like hair and his steady eyes. With his soft voice and gentle hands. With his sense of justice and duty and the way his eyes glazed over her as if she was not even there.

Paimon could see right through her, "Lumine just wants to go see that knight again, right?"

"What? No. Never."

Reality came in the form of a swift kick in the head from a floating elf. Lumine bent over and covered her hair with both hands, while Paimon landed on her back and pummeled her skin with tiny fists, "Paimon thinks you're being a slacker! Huffman doesn't even know you exist!"

A girl could dream - and she could do sowithouta floating creature pulling at her hair and complaining about her utter lack of motivation for the quest shewillinglyundertook. But Lumine had not known that Liyue harbor was so far away, and she did not know she would dream of the knight with every passing day of travel.

She shook the elf/fairy/emergency food off her back, nearly throwing her at a nearby tree in an attempt to release her hair from the tiny fingers of death. Paimon had a grip like a baby, she never let go. Huffing as her guide regained her flight and shot into a wide arch above her, Lumine shook a fist, "You know I'm kidding!"

"Paimon can't tell!" she whizzed through the air in a panic before catching herself against some invisible current, "It's not part of Paimon's paimonial programming!"

Paimonial programming. Archons help Lumine's levels of patience. "What the hell does that even mean?"

In the silhouette of the moon above, the fairy put her hands to her hips and huffed. Slowly, hesitantly, she floated down to Lumine's level with a frown andput her hands out to squish her cheeks between her palms, glaring "Lumine is going to Liyue."

"We're only a mile away, of course I'm goin-"

"Lumine is going to get that plain-jane, boring-ass, knight out of her mind!"

"...Did you just say ass? I've never heard you swear befor-"

"Lumine is going to protect Rex Lapis!"

Right. Right, Rex Lapis. Not a kind hearted knight patrolling the streets of the windy city. Rex Lapis and the gnosis. And vengeance, most importantly.

Paimon released her cheeks and floated away. Sighing, Lumine followed the fairy's path in the darkness of the night. The moon in Liyue seemed to be brighter and more willing to shine down on the citizens below. In the distance, nestled between a river and a mountain, was the golden glow of the city of mora and contracts.

It was exciting, almost, to have something to take her mind off Aether. If she could not help her brother, helping her friends was the second best choice. While she did not know this Archon, he was in danger and needed her nonetheless. He'd have to accept her help whether he liked it or not.

"I'll try to focus," she felt like Venti, sweet Venti who was far too lazy for his own good, "you're right, this is important. I can't let that thing with La Signora happen again."

Paimon floated stiffly for a moment. Her hands fiddled with her dress anxiously, while she stared ahead of herself at the golden city on the mountain. It was so close, but the Rite of Descension would not happen for another day, though Lumine was never quite in a hurry. "Did Lumine send that letter?"

"Oh, yeah I did."

"W-What?" Paimon was on her in an instant, hands squishing her cheeks and eyes wide with disbelief once more, "Paimon thought you burned that!"

A bitter laugh muffled by the grip of her guide's hands. She was starting to get a headache from Paimon's rough touches and hair pulling, but the thought of hermasterpieceof a letter sat in her chest gleefully, "She needed to be warned."

"No she didn't! Lumine could have just kept those feelings to herself!"

She closed her eyes and sighed, "She stabbed Venti, she's a menace to society."

And the hair pulling returned, coupled with the tiny fists against her back and screamed insults that made Lumine imagine what having a little sister would be like. She had always been the youngest of in her small family, the one most doted on, the one who would be lecturing Aether when he made asinine decisions like sending a threatening letter to an attempted murderer. Without him, the chaos and mischief was left up to her.

He was gone now. Not forever, of course, nothing was infinite. Even stars burst every once in a while.

"We're going to be late if you keep assaulting me," Calmly, Lumine reached over her shoulders and pried Paimon from her hair, holding her above her head like a rabid child, "It'll be fine. I mean what I said about the eternal meteor of justice."

She kicked the air wildly, "That's so cheesy! Paimon told you to not put that!"

It wasn't cheesy, it was poetic. Shewaslike a meteor, appearing out of the dark velvet of the night and crashing down in her chaotic way - she at leastimaginedherself that way, the reality was most likely far different. "I think it really made a statement, don't you?"

"A statement of Lumine's stupidity!"

A statement nonetheless. "Signora's not so scary."

"She's terrifying! She froze Paimon!"

That she did. Perhaps she was a bit scary, but Aether would never let himself think of such things, and neither should she. Huffing, she pushed past her guide and continued down the path, "There are 11 of them, right? It might not even be her that we meet this time."

"Oooh," her eyes widened, "Lumine is right… It might be someone scarier!"

It might. "I can handle it."

"Oh, you'll send them another goofy letter?"

Precisely. "Was it really that goofy?"

She put her hands on her hips and sent the traveler the flattest look she could muster, "Lumine could do comedy skits at the Angel's Share."

The elf spoke as if that was a bad gig. Diluc paid well, the tavern was warm, and the drink was good - even if Diluc would not let her have any, she found her secret ways to sneak a sip. Sighing, she continued on towards the golden city, "Well, it's already sent, no going back on that."

"Just don't do it again!"

There could be no promises made there. Quiet, Lumine kept on, with Paimon trailing behind her head in her questioning way. The river ahead of the path glowed blue and black against the moon and stars above - it was beautiful, but it was not Mondstadt.

At this time of the night, when Lumine would usually be asleep, the Liyue harbor was alive with activity. Carried by the wind were the scents of smoked meats and spices, a temptation for anyone approaching from the wilderness. Lumine found her stomach grumbling as the gates drew closer, and larger, and taller.

A bridge stretched out across the river. Floating lanterns hung from poles, illuminating the people traveling to and fro. It had to be close to midnight, yet the harbor city was as alive as Mondstadt during lunchtime. It was busy with constant bustle. She had not even taken a step onto the bridge yet and already felt as if nobody would ever notice a soul such as her in this crowd.

Except for the frail old woman sitting in the grass, smiling right through her.

Lumine's wandering gaze met her's, and she froze upon contact. A guard stared into the distance from his post at the bridge, and this old woman seemed to not exist to anyone but Lumine in that moment. The grass was wet with midnight dew and humidity from the river; sitting on the ground like that could be comfortable.

Paimon floated at her waist and gripped her hand. Lumine ignored the fairy hiding behind her back and took a step towards the figure on the ground, "Excuse me, are you okay?"

The smile only grew. Creepy. A shudder went down her spine at the sight. "Yes, my dear. Areyou?"

"I'm... " a bit warm, it shouldn't bewarmthis late at night, it should be windy and skin raising, "I'm fine. Thank you."

The old woman giggled and fiddled with the sleeves of her qipao, "How polite. The stars told me that you were coming, my dear."

The stars. The starstoldher that she was coming. Grimacing, Lumine stepped closer and whispered, "Are you the geo Archon?"

"Not in the least. Sorry."

And Lumine hadalmostfelt relief at her job being so damn easy. Of course she wasn't the geo Archon, it wasn't the Rite of Descension quite yet. Sighing, she ran a hand through her hair and ignored the curious looks of the guards at the bridge, "Okay, well I should go-"

"Would you like to know what your stars say?"

Lumine stiffened, "I don't have any mora on me."

"I'll give you a discount."

"Really," she waved a hand, "I have zero, absolutely none. No amount of discounts could help me."

The woman's smile grew larger, "We can start a tab. Sit."

"I'm really oka-"

"Sit."

She was like a grandmother commanding a petulant child. Lumine found herself lowering to the wet grass and folding her legs over each other. Paimon zipped around her head and landed into her lap, pulling Lumine's arms around her waist to hug her like a stuffed doll.

The guard at the front of the bridge nearby watched with suspicious eyes, "She's a con artist, girl. You better get out of here."

Of course she was, what else could she possibly be? Lumine would just simply avoid her tab like a normal person. "Shut up," the old woman snapped at the guard. The only response she earned was an inaudible grumble.

Ignoring the dew gathering around her legs, and holding Paimon close, Lumine ignored the warnings and leaned in towards the old woman, "Okay so, I've started my tab. What do my stars say?"

It never hurt to try a new source of information. Yet, she did not like how the fortune teller smiled as if she was a fish caught on a hook. The woman took an enigmatic pause - a held breath, and a sparkle in her eye. Paimon groaned in anxiety and covered her face at the deafening silence.

"Do you know of constellations, traveler?"

Lumine half expected her to say something about the stars needing money or food. Taken aback, she sat up straight, "You mean the shapes made from star patterns?"

"Yes, and… no," she looked at the velvet backdrop above, "some in this world are blessed with their own constellations. I have recently seen yours light up the sky at night."

Her constellation. Her little dipper, as some worlds named the shapes in the sky. She squinted and leaned back to look at the stars, "Where is it?"

"Youcan't read the sky, dear, you can't see it."

Of course she couldn't. A total con artist. Snorting, Lumine sighed and returned her gaze, "Okay, so you saw my constellation. What's it say?"

"Paimon doesn't wanna know," she wiggled in her lap, "this is creepy, stars can't talk!"

The old woman grinned widely, "No, they're quite the conversationalists, in fact! I see your constellation, my girl," her eyes caught Lumine in place, gluing her to the ground, "And yours shares the sky with another."

Aether. Of course it was Aether, who else would she share a sky with? Despite the healthy amount of skepticism, she found her heart skipping and closing up her throat as if she'd swallowed a rock. She gripped Paimon tighter against her chest and leaned in, enraptured, "Tell me, where is he?"

"Here. In Liyue, my dear," another childish giggle, "your starmate, or as other cultures call it,soulmate."

A pregnant pause.

"What?"

They werenoton the same page. Lumine's cheeks burned hot with fire, as if Amber had shot her with an arrow and let her be eaten alive by flames. Paimon snickered in her lap, ignored as Lumine covered her face and groaned. Her heart dropped down to her stomach and nauseated her with the sickness of disappointment. Not Aether, obviously not Aether. She had allowed herself to get her hopes high again, crashing them down at speeds never before seen.

"Your soulmate," the fortune teller went on with a soothing voice, "your constellation is close to his, you share many stars with each other. Do you know what that means?"

Annoyed, she lifted her head from her hands, "That you don't know where my brother is?"

"Right! And, no as well. It means that you're stuck with this person forever."

"And…" she could hardly stand to humor the woman any longer, "so, what does that even mean? The stars should know two things, though, and one is that I am loyally dedicated to Huffman-"

"Who doesn't even know you exist."

"Yes, Paimon, but not for long. Secondly, I amnotlooking for a soulmate, or uh s-starmate, right now," she took a steadying breath, closing her eyes to the smile of the fortune teller, "I'm looking for my brother."

"Well... I don't know whereheis."

She did not sound at all ashamed. Most people had the courtesy to sound at least a little sorry for her. Sighing, Lumine stood from the grass and wiped the dew from her dress, "Then I'm sorry, but you really don't have much to tell me."

"You…" she seemed to have never been brushed off so quickly before, "You don't want to know about the person the literal universe has destined you to be with?"

Those buzzwords were simply meant to catch her attention. Lumine huffed and turned away, "I'm kind of busy, and I don't have any mora anyway."

"Girl, really, I can see your futur-"

"It's fine," Lumine put up a hand and offered a bitter smile, "I don't really have time to get conned again-"

Paimon grumbled, "For the fourth time in a row."

"Right, for the fourth time in a row."

The woman panicked. She attempted to push herself up off the ground, her old bones preventing her from standing before the traveler passed by the bridge guards. Lumine raised a hand as she retreated, "Sorry, I really don't have any mora."

"I-It's only 3,000 a minute!"

Paimon whipped around mid-air, hands on her hips and lips turned into a scowl, "That's a terrible deal! Go con someone else!"

Nobody in Liyue was dumb enough to take her up on it any longer. She was far too old for the locals to believe, and far too expensive for their stingy tastes. Travelers and tourists were her main source of income as of late. She tsked, "Kids these days. Nobody believes in stars anymore," she sighed and glanced longingly at the mora pouch on her hip, "At least those Fatui folk still come by. And…"

And there, walking up the hill of the bridge towards her, came the biggest Fatui moneybag in Liyue.

Perhaps shewassort of a con artist, in some way. Old women had to do what they needed to get by these days, in this economy. It did not mean she lied, the stars told her their stories as they always had, she simply had to pick her targets wisely.

She knew his name, Childe, Tartaglia, and a blurry truth hidden behind the other two names. The stars were not always so clear, especially about a man like this. They preferred the good-hearted to speak of, negativity was so demotivating, and they would not shine nearly as bright if they told her stories of men like this. She watched as he passed the golden eyed girl, not even sparing her a glance.

If only they knew. Kids these days.

"Master Childe," she spread her arms in greeting as he approached, "your subordinates have been very generous to me lately, I'm happy to see you."

The golden eyed girl was gone. Lumine was her name, as the whispers on the wind told her. She did not even notice destiny passing her by as she retreated into the city. Childe took no notice either, his eyes only for the nameless fortune teller selling pretty half-truths on the side of the road.

He looked nice, almost gentle. If she were a young girl who did not see the past the fortress of proprietary around him at all times, she might be charmed. "Granny, it's been a while."

"It's beennever, technically," she put up a wrinkled finger in correction, "you've never come to see me, Master Childe. But I do know you."

His smile grew. He tilted his head, staring, "Oh?"

"Your constellation, boy. I know your constellation! And…" a mischievous chuckle, "well, I know your staff at the bank."

"You've been sucking them dry, granny. Don't you know it's mean to play with people's hearts?"

The audacity of this boy. Granny never lied, shedidknow his constellation and what it meant. His was about as bright as the traveler's, nearly blinding her every time she looked. Smiling at him as if he were a newborn baby, she stepped closer, "It'stheirchoice if they want to give me mora."

His smile fell into a blank stare, "Your predictions are distracting them. I'm going to have to ask you to stop."

She froze. She knew this day would come, but not now, not when she still had a Mahjong match to bet on tomorrow.

"O-Oh?"

His smile returned, but it was the opposite of comforting. "Yep, hopefully they'll stop going on about soulmates and stars soon."

The Fatui thought themselves hardened, unmanipulated by the clever locals of Liyue. Childe knew better than to underestimate the human nature of the icy Snezhnayans, they wanted love and entertainment and fulfillment as much as any other citizen of Liyue. And being foreign, they were not so against the mechanisms of this fortune telling conwoman. To his staff, she was interesting, she could never lie, and she told them stories of the stars.

As their boss, it was his duty to put an end to the manipulation.

"Well," she sighed in defeat, "As a parting gift, would you like me to look into your future? I know you have a constellation brighter than most."

He thought of the staff at the Northland bank, with their dreamy eyes and their office gossip. He could get his fortune and prove it entirely wrong, which would dispel the excitement of the Fatui agents almost immediately. If only she did not look at him in that infuriatingly condescending way, like a challenge.

He'll bite. She caught him, he'd allow it.

"Sure, granny. How does it work?"

Just like Lumine, he did not believe her. He was above the magic and storytelling of an old woman from Liyue, and she could not blame him for that. Sneznayah was not a land of ancestors and futures, it was a land of snow and day-to-day survival. But they had stars, a sky clearer than anywhere else in Teyvat. And constellation fortune telling was a practice dating back to the olden days, even originating somehwere in Sneznayah itself. A Harbingerhadto appreciate tradition and culture of the Tsaritsa and homeland, did he not?

Closing her eyes, she offered her hand to him, "Not everyone has a constellation, but every constellation has shared stars. I can follow the path of your stars and get a hint as to where your future leads," she opened one eye to appraise his expression, "usually, this is for soul mates and all, but I assume you're not much into those things, right?"

He smiled secretively. This man always had something processing behind his eyes, and was not often easy to read. He raised one brow and sighed with the smile still lingering, "Just tell me…" what was something he could control with very little effort on his part? It was the Rite of Descension tomorrow, Liyue harbor would be filled with new people, and possibly the traveler herself, "Tell me if I'll make any new friends tomorrow."

An odd request, but one she could acquiesce. With the expanse of night behind her eyelids, she focused on the shape his stars created. His hand was cold in hers, and she could feel his eyes analyzing her every move.

A pause. The sound of the city behind them bustled, drowned out by her own heartbeat in her ears. His stars were bright, burning, and mingling so steadily with another constellation that she could hardly make out the shape.

What did this man expect? Something incredibly vague that could be changed in half a second? She may have a habit of overcharging mora, but she was not a liar. And if there truly was a prediction for this man, it would happen one way or another. She paused, and bit her lip, tracing another line on his palm as she worked out the connection between stars.

The answer came to her like an arrow in the back.

"Tomorrow, you will meet your soulmate."

Childe stared with barely concealed amusement. She had said those words a thousand times in her lifetime, but never before had she been so nervous. "I thought we weren't doing the soulmate stuff."

A hesitant shrug, "I'm just telling you what I see. Her constellation is so intertwined with yours that I can hardly see anything else."

He paused for a moment before finding his words, "Don't sweat it, granny. What next, we have 10 kids and live happily ever after?"

He was mocking her. She took a deep breath to steady her shaken nerves and closed her eyes once more. Mentally, she followed the intertwined path of stars down, digging into each and every one that would reveal itself. A golden house, a mission, quaint moments between something bigger than either of them. Anxiety began to culminate in her stomach as she reached the end of their combined paths.

"You cannot escape this girl, you cannot escape the future she's building, Master Childe. I-I'm," her eyes flew open in fear to watch his face for any sign of violence, "I'm sorry."

It is not the world of Fatui and cryo.

She would just keep that little tidbit to herself, to save her own windpipe from being crushed by Tartaglia's rage. "And it's not 10 kids," she faked a smile, "only nine, my apologies."

"Darn," he pulled his hand away and snapped his fingers, "I really prefer even numbers."

"S-Sorry, Master Childe…"

He still did not take her seriously, but she knew how serious this matter was. The path his stars led down connected with the golden eyed girl's, Lumine's, in a battle that would end the incoming storm from the North. It was not what the Harbinger wanted to hear, she knew. She had simply not expected his future to be sobright, so full of love and adventure, so opposite of everything she would assume about this man.

Ignorance is bliss, as they say. What he didn't know won't hurt him, and even without her fortune telling, destiny would still fall into place in it's perfect way.

Hesitant, she watched as he pulled a pouch of mora from his pocket, and deposited it into her willing hands. His smile was easy, but it did not dare to reach his eyes. His mind was elsewhere, that much was obvious, but she could hardly tellwhereexactly. "How am I going to meet this girl?"

There was an easy answer to a multifaceted question, "You really don't believe me, do you?"

"I'm not sure," he shrugged without losing his easy composure, "But if it doesn't come true, then my subordinates might finally be focused. Really, one of the bank guards can't function without knowing his future for the day."

She smiled bitterly, "Yes, he's paid for quite a few of my meals. But it's a bit insulting that you don't believe me."

"Oh, sorry about that." He was so nonchalant, so easy going. But so utterly dangerous under that layer of charm. "So how do I meet her?"

It was blurry, but it was there. Reading his and Lumine's constellations became easier by the minute, with the pattern revealing itself before her mind. She shut her eyes tightly once more and gripped the pouch of mora to her chest, "She's got golden hair, and golden eyes. You'll save her life, somehow."

Somehow. It was just specific enough for him to be able to avoid. Don't speak to any blondes, don't save any lives, he did that nearly every day. "Thanks granny. Remember our deal, okay?"

"Right," relief flooded her system as she let the stars disappear from her mind, "No more business with the Fatui."

The sound of the city came back, no longer dimmed by her predictions. The bridge had cleared out a bit, but the streets remained bustling with activity. Childe stuck out like a sore thumb, he was hard to miss, and she assumed he preferred it that way. She watched as he turned away from her and raised a hand in goodbye, "Golden hair and golden eyes, I'll remember that."

It was obvious that he was skeptical, like most people. But he paid damn well. She managed a nervous smile, "You'll meet her tomorrow, whether you like it or not."

It was almost a threat.

"We'll see about that."

It was always an odd feeling when there was a festival in the harbor. Half of these tourists had no idea who he was, the other Harbingers would prefer it that way. But as Childe slipped through the crowd, a restless feeling stirred in his stomach, the old woman's words repeating over and over in his mind - and he wanted to fight something, to be noticed, on center stage in this sea of nameless faces.

Frowning, he left the bridge and walked towards the bank. Extra lanterns and stalls were set up through the streets, and prices were continuously being gauged with the arrival of clueless tourists and visitors. Childe pulled himself up the stairs, taking them two at a time.

Golden hair and golden eyes. He would save her - like some white knight. That poor girl, whoever she was. He could almost laugh at the absurdity of it all.

He did laugh. He stopped at the edge of the balcony, leaning on the rails and watching the crowd below with a grin on his face. He liked a challenge, no matter how small. And the fortune teller had given him one - to prove the stars were utterly incorrect. It wouldn't be too difficult.

He wondered who this girl could be. Resting his cheek in his palm, he thought of the possibilities. Hardly any locals of Liyue would have blonde hair, but the trait was commonly found among locals of Mondstadt and Snezhnaya. He could see himself finding some cute girl from his village in Snezhnaya to please his mother and father with, the Tsaritsa always encouraged familial relationships with her Harbingers, relationships were not at all frowned upon. It would be difficult for the girl, whoever she was, but there was no need to worry anyway. He was not going to let this fortune teller be proven right in the first place.

A flash of golden below caught his eye, a shade far different from the paint on the buildings of Liyue. He followed the head of hair as she weaved through the crowd, stopping and squinting at her map, glaring at her surroundings, and moving on with hesitancy.

"Hey," Childe nodded towards the door guard, "see that woman there?"

Nadia was her name, a bubbly woman who was kind to everyone she met. He had always appreciated her measured smiles and willingness to make friends, but she was also one of the most distracted of his staff. The fortune teller had told her of her true love just last week, she nearly buzzed with energy every time Vlad walked by. "Master Childe?" She tilted her head as she left her post and joined him on the balcony, "What woman?"

"That one," he pointed to the head of blonde hair below, now squinting even harder at the map in her hands, "the one making the constipated face."

"Yes and…" Nadia cleared her throat and followed his finger, "what about her, if I may ask?"

He could not help the frown on his lips. He could not help his suspicion about the fortune teller and her intentions, nor the ominous look she wore when so ardently nit-picking her words. He hated being out of the know. "If I'm guessing right, then that woman might be my soulmate."

He knew Nadia would appreciate such a thing. Her eyes widened behind her mask, her fists clenching into excited balls as she rocked on her heels, "Y-Your star mate? Your constellations intertwine, you mean?"

"Yep." His nonchalant affirmation seemed to calm the woman down. She sighed and took a step back, a hand to her chest.

"How exciting, I'm happy for you Master Childe."

He rolled his eyes, "Well, I'm telling you this because I'm going to prove granny wrong. Even if our constellations are connected in some way, the sky is always changing."

"R-Right. Of course."

Below, the golden haired girl sighed and folded her map. She was followed by something floating around her head, pulling at her ear and nearly yelling over the energy of the crowd. The girl scowled and ducked into an alleyway to escape the fairy, out of the Harbinger's sight. He sighed again, "Nothing's going to come of her predictions, so stop visiting her."

"...Yes, Master Childe."

He offered a tight lipped smile, "You may return to your post now."

Nadia nearly ran from him. She pushed her back against the bank's wall as if it was her lifeline, clutching her chest with wide eyes. Her cheeks were pink, and her lips moving in a silent prayer. He almost felt bad for ripping out her hope of true love underneath her, but she needed to learn a lesson. The stars did not determine her future, her actions did. And her future was serving the Tsaritsa.

Childe returned to watching the crowd bustle below. There was no other sign of blondie and her fairy friend, not any longer. And that was perfectly fine.

He just needed to not interact with this woman in any way, shape, or form. He had business tomorrow thatdidn'tinvolve soulmates or stars or fortunes. One of La Signora's recruits would be with him at the Rite of Descension to point out the hero of Mondstadt, and thus the games would begin.

He would most certainlynotmeet his soulmate tomorrow.

Notes:

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Chapter 2: Soulmate

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter fornotes.)

Chapter Text

Snezhnaya had many wonderful qualities that made it the best country in Teyvat. Many of them. Some would argue that there weretoomany.

It was cold and heartless. It did not humor the weak. It could bring even the highest of emotional walls down, as the conditions of the country itself forced vulnerability in it's survivors. Vulnerability between family members was, by far, the most common trait among it's citizens. When stuck inside a cabin for a week while a blizzard raged outside,certainconversations happened.

Aside from the deep love of family and the strength of it's people, there was one more aspect the Fatui, Snezhnayans, and Northerners were known for.

They were incredibly terrible gossipers.

It was natural, almost, to entertain oneself with the business of others. Even the Harbinger's held a mass amount of knowledge about the people around them, it was a trait ingrained into each Snezhnayan local since childhood. When one watched their mothers, aunts, uncles and grandparents gossip endlessly with the local fishmonger over their neighbor's recent divorce because there was literallynothingelseinteresting happening, certain habits grew. Some of them - the Harbingers, for example - used these habits for bigger purposes, but most of the time it was delegated to idle entertainment.

So, naturally, Childe caught the thumbs up out of the corner of his eye. Perhaps La Signora was right; his recruitsdidneed more discipline.

"Stop it," a Fatui agent elbowed the man in question and hissed, though he was easily heard from Childe's vantage point, "don't give the Harbinger a thumbs up! What the hell is wrong with you?"

The agent floundered for a moment, "H-He's meeting his soulmate today!"

"Don't give him a thumbs up! Just, uh… bring him some congratulatory cupcakes or something."

"Oh, good idea."

As wrong as these men were - he would not meet his soulmate today - Tartaglia does like cupcakes.

The news of Childe's prediction spread through the bank like wildfire. He arrived this morning to catch the eyes of every tittering receptionist lingering on him as he passed. Even Ekaterina sent him a secretive, encouraging smile. He wondered how the gossip had traveled so quickly, and if the staff got together at night for drinks and traded secrets without telling him. It almost seemed as if every Fatui in the city knew of his foretold fate.

But that was good, in a way. When it doesn't come true they'll know not to put stock into such silly things like fortune telling and stars.

Childe leaned against a wall, his arms crossed over his chest as Fatui agents spread out across the area. The guard who had given him the cheeky thumbs up was attempting to not smile in excitement. It was natural for the Fatui to want to gossip about each other, he supposed, many of them were homesick in this foreign city and hyper-focusing on each other was a comfort. If only the one destined to meet his true love was not the most dangerous of all the Harbingers - it would be a lot more fun if he wasn't.

The excitement of the Rite of Descension distracted the locals from the ever lingering presence of Fatui. Wide eyes and excited chatter filled the scene before him, with children running between legs and waving sparklers in the air. Across the pavilion, he spotted one of La Signora's agents approaching through the back of the crowd.

Childe offered a smile and pushed himself off the wall. If he was approaching, it meant he'd found the honorary knight of Favonius. Brushing past his agents, he met the man halfway and took solace in another abandoned alley. The show would not begin just yet, not with the excited chaos of the crowd.

"Sir," La Signora's agent offered a short bow, he was as straight pinned as a needle, the result of that woman's particular type of handiwork, "I have located the target."

He raised his brow, crossing his arms over his chest and staring at the gaggle of people surrounding the pavilion. In fluid motion, they moved from one wishing spot to the next, and took their carefully chosen places to watch the performance. "Where is she?"

"There."

There.There, as if that helped. Childe frowned and followed his finger to the farthest corner of the crowd. "Where?"

"She's blonde, wearing a white dress. She has a…" he cleared his throat awkwardly, "an imp following her around."

An imp. He saw her, floating above the heads and looking haughty. Wherever the imp went, this traveler had to be. One man moved aside to let her pass and approach the offering monument, and he could finally, completely, see her.

It was rare for Childe's heart to drop so drastically into his stomach. It was rare for something to get so utterly under his skin that he felt a mild jolt of panic. It was rare for him to find it necessary to reassure himself.

Just because she's blonde doesn't mean she's my soulmate. And just because granny told me the stars said so, doesn't mean she's telling the truth.

He had pointed to her last night and predicted that it was her. There were no other blondes in the city, besides a few Snezhnayan officers and regular merchants. He'd met all of them, this was the one person fitting that description that he'd not yet met.

The traveler, the hero of Mondstadt, stood out nearly as much as him. He watched as she put her hands together and lowered her head in a silent wish, while the fairy floated around her head in a lazy arc. Wordless, he stepped away from La Signora's agent with a wave of his hand, "You're sure that's her?"

"Yes," he nodded, "I helped hold her down when we went after the anemo Archon."

So he would know. She was so weak that this simple recruit could keep her down - thus, she could not possibly be his soulmate. There was no way he would put up with a woman like that. He bet that she could not even open pickle jars by herself.

But she is the honorary knight for a reason, one he found himself curious about. He slipped through the crowd and kept his easy smile on his face, careful to not bother any of the locals that would cast suspicion upon him. In the middle of the pavilion, Lady Ningguang began to quiet the excitement with a flex of her hand.

He watched as the traveler - Lumine, he reminded himself, she went by Lumine - raised her head and smiled at the sky. The woman next to her giggled, "Happy with your wish?"

"I don't know," He could hear Lumine's soft answer from his spot in the crowd, "We'll see if it comes true."

Something ate at him inside, that natural Snezhnayan instinct to want to know everything about everyone. He took another step towards her, but immediately caught the eye of the floating imp above her head. Quick as a crystalfly, the imp zipped towards his face and held up a tiny fist, "Heya buddy, you better watch yourself! Paimon sees you eyeing her!"

He froze, a smile on his face. Slowly, his gaze moved from the fairy, to the traveler at the monument. She turned and walked off without realizing her friend's confrontation. He had to laugh at the utter obliviousness displayed, "Eyeing who?"

"Don't act polite," she growled as best as a tiny girl floating in the air could, "Paimon knows what you want. You pervert."

Pervert.Pervert? He hadn't even taken one glance at her ass.

"Mister pervert is lucky that Lumi took Paimon's knife away!"

Lumi was a cute nickname, like something he'd name a kitten, or a goldfish. Taking a step away from Paimon, he put up a hand in surrender, "Hey, I've got a knife you can borrow if you really want one."

"Yeah! To cut you with!"

It was fortunate for Paimon that he kept an array of weapons on him at all times. In both of his boots, under his scarf, in his sleeves, on his thigh - once he kept a poison dart in his pocket, but it stabbed him through his clothes far too often, but at least he had built up a resistance to that certain kind of poison as a result.

The dagger he pulled out was sharp and silver, lined with gold. It's handle was made of jade carved artfully into a curve. Paimon's eyes widened as he held it up the light, "Do you want this one? It'll make quite a scratch."

"Y-Yes… to stab mister pervert with, of course."

"Of course."

Paimon swiped the jade dagger from his hands. She held it between her palms, eyes wide with power and madness. She laughed, and swiped it through the air, nearly tripping over her own legs as she did so.

And immediately, she began to sink. It was just as he thought, the weight would make her drop like a rock in water. Childe took a step past her as her body lowered like a deflated balloon. "W-Wait! What's happening to Paimon?"

The dagger was far too heavy for a little fairy, and from what he could tell from first impressions, she was rather prideful. She could take the easy way out if she wanted,orshe could be greedy and let him speak to the traveler alone, "Is it too heavy? You can just let it go, you know."

"No!" She screeched while lowering through the air, "Paimon won't let anyone else have it! It's hers now!"

Just as he thought. He hummed and glanced over his shoulder, "That might sell for a small fortune too."

"Paimon's never letting it go! Lumine will have to just carry her from now on! Lumi-," now on the ground, the fairy's eyes widened, "W-Where did Lumine go?"

Childe knewexactlywhere Lumine went. She was in the middle of the crowd, on her tiptoes in an attempt to catch a glimpse of the ritual as it began. Sending Paimon another sly smile, he went on his way, abandoning the fairy to her greed.

Obstacle #1, completed and finished.

The crowd began to simmer down - besides the panicked squeaks of a fairy dragging a heavy dagger across the ground - as Ningguang prepared herself. Childe slipped past another couple and brushed through the people, to the spot where Lumine waited. She arched her back to gain a better view, her hand over her eyes to shield the sun away.

And very casually, very subtly, he took the spot at her side.

"You know," the sound of his voice made her jump in surprise, but he went on with a smile, "they say that Rex Lapis wears a that hood on his statue because he's bald and is embarrassed about it."

Lumine looked at him oddly. She stared as if he'd just proposed marriage to a complete stranger on the street. Her brows were furrowed, lips parted, and bright eyes; of the most honey-brown color he'd ever seen.

There were no others there with a description such as hers. He could not help but wonder what the old fortune telling woman had up her sleeve, putting him in this specific situation withthisspecific girl.

"I've never heard of that rumor," she was hesitant to respond, slowly turning away and looking at the ceremony ahead.

"Oh? It's quite a popular theory."

"I… Excuse me?"

He stared ahead of himself and avoided the honey gaze analyzing his expression, "Just sharing some Liyue folklore with a fellow foreigner."

Lumine turned away once more, "How did you know I was a foreigner?"

"Are you?"

She frowned, "Areyou?"

Childe simply laughed; the sound made her jump as if catching her off guard, like she expected him to push a dagger into her back between words. And here he was thinking that his most sincere smile was plastered on his lips for once.

"Yes," he mused lightly, voice lighter now, "just like you, I presume."

A thoughtful pause. Lady Ningguang's voice filled the air above the whispers and light conversation of the crowd. Lumine lifted her chin and sent him a side glance filled to the brim with suspicion, "Are you hitting on me or something? Or have we met before and I just don't remember?"

Was he hitting on her? Was he, the 11th Harbinger of the Fatui, hitting on this tiny elf of a woman with doe eyes and a dress that looked to never see the blood of battle? This woman, who's one companion was an easily manipulated fairy that he'd disposed of in exactly 15 seconds? This woman, who was a whole head shorter than him even in heeled boots, thoughthewas hitting onher?

She simply did not know any better. Childe has a type and she is not it.

"Neither," he sent her a grin that barely masked the annoyance underneath, "I'm just a…" a sudden gust of wind that blew his hair back and caught his attention, "a dragon."

There was the swirl of geo elements in the air, the rushing sound not unlike a hurricane. Lumine was oblivious to the chaos beginning to ruminate around her, "You're a dragon?"

"No," nonconsciously, he rested a hand on the small of her back and stepped forward, shielding her from the now anxious and excited crowd of locals. It would be easy to be trampled in the abrupt destruction caused by the overgrown lizard falling out of the clouds, "There's a dragon."

"A dragon?" She stood on her tip toes and peaked over his shoulder, "Oh, oh! A dragon, I see."

"Lumine!" Paimon's voice jolted her from her shocked reverie, but the sound was not coming from above her as per usual. Amidst the panic, Paimon dragged a dagger across the ground towards Lumine's feet, "Paimon was tricked! Paimon was duped! Why…" she glanced around in shock, "Why is everyone acting all weird?"

Why wasPaimonacting weird? Quickly, Lumine scooped her up into her arms like a child, to save her from the crowd that was beginning to trample around them. "The dragon died, I-I think it's…"

This man, this odd man with his hand still on the small of her back - she'd have to cut his hand off if he kept it there for one second longer - was the one to answer. It was almost as if he read her mind, finishing her sentence with a heavy exhale and a glare that could kill, "Rex Lapis is dead."

She caught sight of the Tianquan kneeling in front of the corpse. Her own words echoed the stranger's, "Rex Lapis has been murdered! Seal every exit, do not let anyone escape!"

"Huh," he put his hands on his hips now, just in time to save all of his fingers being broken by the traveler, "that's interesting."

"Interesting? You think it'sinteresting? What the hell- Paimon," Lumine wrenched the dagger from her tiny fingers, "Where did you get this?"

"Mister pervert gave it to Paimon, give it back! It's hers!"

"This is why you couldn't float?" She seethed, "Who is mister pervert, andwhyis that dragon dead?"

Paimon pointed at the man. The man smiled, but it did not reach his eyes. "Not a pervert, but-"

Buta pervert. A weirdo. A danger. "This is mine now." Horrified, she clutched the dagger to her chest and took a step away. Released from the heavyweight, Paimon floated from her arms and took her usual spot above her head, fingers digging into Lumine's hair. Both girls glared with the fury of a pyro mage, "If you'll excuse me, I have a job to do."

That was good information. That wasexactlywhat he wanted to hear. Taking a step towards her, he raised a brow, "What kind of job exactly? I can probably help you."

She waved the dagger in front of her, "I am not above murder!"

"Neither am I, that's something we have in common."

"Uh," Paimon glanced at the nearby gaggle of Millelith whose eyes landed on their too-loud conversation, suspicion rising with every passing second, and every mention of 'murder', "Paimon thinks that perhaps we shouldn't speak of those things right now. Seeing as there's just been a murder and all."

It was the best idea Paimon had ever come up with.

"Childe, by the way," he gripped Lumine's wrist and yanked her away from her spot in the crowd. His Fatui agents began to swarm the shocked bystanders and move them aside to allow the Harbinger and his newly acquired acquaintance to make their escape. Not very far behind were the Millelith, eyes glued to his and Lumine's forms, "that's my name."

He was not running, but she seemed to hardly be able to keep up with him. Stumbling over her own feet, she allowed him to pull her by the wrist towards an alley, "Childe? Like, really."

"Like, really- oh, watch out," he pushed her head down as a spear whizzed through the air, "you really should be more aware of your surroundings, Lumi."

Infuriating. Absolutely infuriating. She had known him for only two minutes and he was already grating on her nerves. Or perhaps it was the stress of the Liyue military racing towards her with weapons drawn. She wouldn't know.

Time to ditch this man, whoever and whatever he was.

As quickly as her legs would take her, she yanked her wrist out from under his hand and turned on her heel. Paimon gripped her hair like a lifeline as she rushed towards the panicked entourage of locals. They hardly noticed her slipping between their bodies and making her way to the bushes and alleys ahead. Childe froze, and watched. The Millelith rushed past him like waves on the shore. As much as he did not want to chase after the woman predicted to be his soulmate, he did not want to disappoint the Tsaritsa even more.

And besides, she was running in the opposite direction of safety.

He sighed and glanced at a Fatui agent, "Go open up the bank and wait for me, okay?"

"Yes sir!"

Lumine dropped down from the raised pavilion, landing in the rock garden below. With anxiety building in her throat, she pushed on towards the next harbor ahead. If she must, she could stow away on a ship and leave the city for as long as she needed. But this was simply not a change of plans she was prepared for. She could be elusive when she desired to, but she was not at all secretive. It was becoming a known fact about her that it was one of the seven who took her only kin, and if the Millelith knew anything of her story, she would be the number one suspect. She could not afford that, not now.

Liyue harbor was abuzz with panic and gossip. Merchants dropped to their knees in shock as the news spread across the city in a steady wave. Children cried and doors were locked shut. The festival has come to its abrupt end, culminating in a group of guards chasing a young girl through the streets.

She turned another corner. Footsteps pounded behind her, yells and commands for her to surrender. She crossed through another rock garden, and vaulted herself over a wall onto the harbor below.

And she was going absolutely the wrong way.

An entire new battalion of Millelith approached with weapons drawn. The group that chased her joined them, cornering Lumine against a wall. One option was to go right into the water, but she knew she could not swim nearly fast enough for that.

The only other option was to fight. It was one against six. Paimon groaned in anxiety and buried her face into her shoulder, "Paimon hates this part."

She did too. These were not treasure hoarders, but men and women trying to protect their city. Sighing, she summoned her sword in front of her and readied it, "I didn't kill the dragon."

The captain of the battalion pointed the tip of his spear at her, "Then why did you run?"

"...I don't have critical thinking skills."

"You've got that right, girlie." He was a shadow over her head, jumping from the ledge above her. As graceful as one could possibly be, he landed between the Milileth's spears, and the point of her sword. "You need help?"

Lumine had ever seen someone so comfortable seeming at the end of a spear. He glanced over his shoulder and grinned - and she felt something akin to disgust crumple and rot in her stomach.

This asshole. Thisjerkwad. This stupid man with his stupid bow, shooting stupid arrows at the stupid soldiers and grinning a stupid grin the entire time. He thought he was some sort of charming vigilante, her savior, herhero.

Disgusting.

"I can take care of myself!"

Her proclamation was paired with a swipe of her sword, a side step and a twist that brought her blade to the torso of the soldier. He stumbled away, and she put her boot to his stomach, kicking him into the water of the river. Behind her, Childe notched another hydro arrow to take down the soldier charging for Lumine.

She glared at him from the corner of her eye, "I told you, I can take care of myself!"

Instead of hitting the soldier, she attacked the arrow whizzing through the air. It splashed apart and dampened her hair with a sudden burst of water, followed by a twist of her waist and a quick takedown to her attacker. She elbowed him, pushing him into the water to join his comrades in floating downstream.

Childe straightened his posture. His eyes widened, and lips parted in surprise, but he would only allow it for a second. Composing himself with a breathy laugh, he twirled his bow around his hand, "Getting possessive, are we?"

Getting possessive. Of all the things to say. He should have dropped to his knees and begged for mercy. Her glare was murderous enough to match the fury of the fire in her chest - because thisdamnmantook it upon himself to save her. She hated being saved, she was the one who was supposed to do the saving.

"What do you want from me?"

His smile grew. He rested one foot on the back of a passed out soldier as if he was dirt on the ground, "To help, dear honorary knight of Favonius. I know you didn't kill Rex Lapis."

Of course, he was standing beside her the entire time, talking of silly hats. She lifted her chin in suspicion, "The Fatui helped us get through the crowd. Why did they do that?"

"Oh," his eyes widened innocently, bow still twirling in his hand as if standing in a group of nearly dead Millelith was a normal Sunday morning for him, "I'm the 11th Harbiner of the Fatui, Tartaglia. Or Childe, if you prefer."

Strained silence. Panic reverberated through the city streets, but the harbor where Childe and Lumine stood was silent and peaceful, a far cry from the hurricane of anger forming in Lumine's mind.

To reiterate, she had no critical thinking skills.

She lunged at the Harbinger, blade drawn and eyes furious. Aiming for his neck, she vaulted herself up to reach his revealed jugular, and all it would take was one slice, one hit, and a small fraction of her vengeance would be carried out.

If only he did not catch her wrist and deliver a swift takedown.

It was as if he was expecting the assault. Her blade clattered onto the wood of the harbor beside her. His hands clenched both of her wrists above her head as her back landed on the ground. His knees rested on either side of her waist, legs pinning down hers. Above them, Paimon zipped around in a panicked flurry.

Honey golden eyes met blue. Her scowl met his sly smile. If looks could kill, Childe would be obliterated.

"This is disappointing," his voice was nearly a purr while he held her down, "but I suppose Signora was correct, you're not very strong at all."

Signora. That bitch. He struck a chord with his words, deepening her scowl even further, "How is this helping me?"

"I'm simply defending myself, girlie."

Defending himself her ass. She'd show him what she could do, even if her sword was out of her hands and Paimon's panicked squeals gave her a headache.

Lumine moved suddenly. She lunged towards his neck, digging her teeth into his shoulder through the material of his coat. With a sharp hiss, he yanked his body away and rolled off of her. Lumine was in action in an instant, now on top. She was not nearly as physically strong, but she knew her determination would win out. She pinned his wrists and scowled down at him, "Why're you doing this?"

"Doing what?" His hair was in his face and his chest rose with a sudden gasp, "Being pinned down by you? That was all your doing."

He almost looked excited by her hands bruising his wrists. She continued her steady glare, "What do you want from me?"

"Look," his excitement dimmed as he furrowed his brows and offered a soft smile, an expression that was almost apologetic, "I'm not a bad guy… Okay, maybe I'm kind of a bad guy, but I truly do want to help you. We're in the same boat now, you and I."

A Fatui harbinger and an honorary knight of Favonius, sharing a boat. Lumine released his wrists and sat up, straddling his waist for a moment as she observed the passed out soldiers surrounding them.

If the Millelith were suspicious ofher, they'd surely be even more suspicious of the Fatui, especially a Harbinger.

And he almost looked sincere.Almost.

She put her hands on her hips and stared down at him, "What do you propose?"

Certainly not marriage, yet with how she straddled him he was tempted to make an offer simply to make an honest woman out of her. Sighing, he rested his hands on her hips, and swiftly nudged her off. She fell to the side and scrambled away as he sat up, "We've been here for too long, the Millelith are sure to start searching."

"Well I'm innocent."

He leveled his gaze with hers, "And will they believe you, princess?"

Princess. Princess. She could have strangled him, especially for being correct. The sound of even more soldiers approaching proved his point. She huffed and pushed herself off the ground, allowing Paimon to nestle against her shoulder once more, "I suppose not, but that doesn't mean I want the help of a Harbinger."

She didn't want his help, she said it so bluntly. He froze for a moment, finger to his chin and eyes upturned in thought. If she didn't want his help, why force it? Let the Millelith arrest her, it would prove the old woman wrong in the best possible of ways. Childe was the one who decided his stars, not some invisible force in the world.

And even if she was the traveler, he could simply face the adepti himself. She didn't necessarily need to be in the picture.

"Okay," he held up a hand, "fine, I'll leave you alone. Good luck with the Millelith and all, I'm sure they'll be gentle."

She squinted suspiciously, "Oh, hell yeah, I'll break out of jail in a day tops."

So fakely confident. It was kind of funny. Her shoulders shook like a small dog's, her wrists were so slim he could have snapped them in an instant. She had the most doe-ish eyes he'd ever seen, and the most rosy of cheeks. How she lifted a sword in the first place was far beyond him - perhaps it was alien magic.

Now that he got a good look at her, watched her eyes widen and her lips part, he realized something. He could not allow a woman likethatto die in a jail cell.

She had to die the proper way: By the hand of an old god in a very mysterious place. That was the dream, obviously. If he got to choose, it would be old gods, several of them at once, preferably.

He stared at her, racking his brain for a moment. He wasn't too aware of the inner workings of women, especially those destined to be his literal soulmate. The women at the bank were simply subordinates, and the women on the street were simply locals. The women in Snezhnaya were his comrades in arms. And the other categories that remained were his sister and mother, who he would never want to terrify the way he did Lumine.

It was not often Childe was absolutely clueless about a subject. But Harbinger duties didn't often involve manipulating the opposite sex, at least not his duties. He went with the first thought to occur, "You know they have a jail on top of a mountain, right? If you try to break out then you'll fall to your death anyway."

That was not true. That was not true in the slightest bit, and he knew that. But a 'normal' jail didn't sound at all interesting, a jail on top of a mountain so high that one would die upon escape was positively badass. And he liked those types of things. And Lumine would be eaten up in any jail she ever went to, no matter the height.

And there was one specific aspect about Lumine that Childe had pinpointed in exactly two seconds. There was no way he could have known that about her, no way he knew what specific button to push, but he'd pushed it. He pushed it far and well, and Lumine could not help but clutch her hands to her chest.

He stood up straight with realization. She was petrified at his words. The honorary knight of Favonius was afraid of heights.

The grin spreading on his lips like butter on toast tipped her off instantly. She huffed and built her wall up around her once more, "I know what you're thinking, and it's not true. I'm just… I have to pee, that's why I was making that face."

He knew better. "You're afraid of heights, princess."

"I climb mountains all the time," she rolled her eyes and huffed, arms crossed over her chest, "and I am certainly not afraid of a jail on top of a mountain."

"You're terrified, I see it in your eyes!"

"Childe, Harbinger," her eyes leveled his with a flat gaze, "I will murder you in your sleep if you continue this."

She was pretty when she threatened him. Too bad she would die a horrible death in Jueyun Karst. "Come with me if you want to avoid jail."

With narrowed eyes, Lumine stared. The Millelith had not arrived yet, and she had not yet decided if it was worth it to join this man on whatever asinine plan that was visibly forming behind his eyes. "What if Iwantto go to jail? I've never been before." She actually had, once, in another world, because she accidentally stole someone's baby, Aether bailed her out rather quickly though, "And why are you so insistent? Do you like me or something?"

"You're okay," he mused airily, "it's more so that you're the hero of Mondstadt, and I kind of feel bad for letting you get arrested."

She clenched her fists, "You think I can't handle jail?"

"Oh, probably not," he laughed and rubbed the back of his neck, "you're too… sorry, but you're really short."

"Height does not determine survivability!"

He could argue that all day. Sighing, he held out a hand, an offer of temporary peace for her to take. Paimon glared at him from her spot on Lumine's shoulder, still angry about the dagger trick. And how could she not be? He'd be angry too, but that didn't matter. What mattered was the honorary knight of Mondstadt dying a 'heroic' death in Jueyun Karst while he figured out the whole ordeal concerning the geo Archon. It would be the easiest possible solution, and he wouldnothave a future alongside his soulmate.

Suffice to say, his soulmate was the Tsaritsa's future. That was his true love, that was the path his stars took, and it would not involve this honey eyed girl for much longer.

If only she was not so damn difficult.

It was a quiet moment, with tension so thick he could cut it in half. She took a step towards him, leaning up on her tiptoes and looking him in the eyes. With a whisper, he felt her hot breath on his neck, "Make me."

Make her.Make her, he could do that.

She was challenging him for the fun of it. He knew that. He would bite.

Without another thought, Childe leaned down and wrapped his arms around her waist. Both Lumine and Paimon yelled in sudden shock as he vaulted the traveler over his shoulder and snaked his arm around her thighs. Her stomach dug into his shoulder, her hands pounding on his back as she kicked and squirmed and screamed. "Let me go! Put me down this instant!"

His fingers tightened onto her thighs as he smiled, "I'm sorry, but if you keep being loud then we'll be caught in no time."

"I will rip out your eyeballs and stuff them in your ass!"

That sounded exciting. She could certainly be colorful, he respected that. But he could not possibly focus on the stream of sweet threats escaping her lips. He had a bank to sneak back to, and a plan to get rid of her to undertake.

She pounded on his back and continued the complaints as he ran to an alley and peaked at the empty street. Her knee attempted to dig into his stomach, but was halted with another readjustment on his shoulder. She gasped, "Do not look up my skirt."

He wrinkled his nose and sighed, "Ew, that would just be weird."

"You'reweird!You'rethe weird one!"

"I'm not looking up your skirt," he peaked around the corner and frowned, "Nothing to see, anyway. Sorry."

"Excuse me?" Her cheeks burned red and hot, "There'ssomuchto see!"

"I'll just take your word for it."

Her fists would leave bruises, and Paimon's squeaking would leave an even worse headache. Yet, he knew that if he must rid the world of his soulmate, this was the most honorable way; pissing her off and making memories, only to send her to her death. If she could not just go away peacefully, it would be in a glorious battle with the adepti and a few bruises on his back from her fists.

He could give her that much. If she truly was his soulmate, she deservedsomething.

Lumine calmed after a moment, arms falling limply against his back as he crossed the empty street. Paimon followed with her soothing words and soft hands, calming the traveler in her infinite anger. Childe walked up the stairs, whistling along the way, "Isn't this fun? I'm basically a taxi service."

A whisper, barely heard from her spot over his shoulder, "I will set fire to your house and watch you burn alive."

"You're pretty funny, girlie."

"I'm not kidding…" a pause, "uh, Harbinger?"

"Yes?"

"Where are we going?"

"To Northland bank."

"Why?"

"For safety."

"Anywhereyouare cannot be safe."

"Hm," he tilted his head as he approached the last flight of stairs - Liyue had far too many stairs for his own taste, "It really depends on who you're running from."

"Example?"

"Like the Millelith."

"So you admit you're enemies."

"Never," he smirked, nudging the door open with his non-occupied shoulder, "but we're not exactly friends either. Can't be popular with everyone, you know?"

"Oh I'm sure that you know."

Snarky woman, she was rather feisty. He stepped inside with her over his shoulder, and ignored the sharp punch delivered to his lower back. Another bruise from her hands - Paimon was helping, but she did not hit nearly hard enough.

"Here we are, princess, it's…"

It's absolute hell.

It's every eye of his staff member on him. It's the glittering excitement of the receptionists. It's the knowing smirks underneath the Fatui masks.

Every one of his recruits knew his proclamation. He would prove the star reader wrong, he wouldnotmeet the golden eyed, golden haired woman destined for his heart. Childe's future wasnotdestined by stars, or words, or shapes in the sky.

"Oh… she's… she's very pretty, master Childe."

Ekaterina should know better. Shehadto know better, but the barely contained smile on her cheeks told him otherwise. His gaze fell flat as the chorus of gossip began to whisper through the room.

He'd done exactly what he did not want.

Fine, okay then. He wasn't in love with the woman, and she was the traveler anyhow, this was a necessity. If only his recruits did not look at him with such ardent as well own up to it.

"Everyone, this is the hero of Mondstadt, Lumine," he spun around and showed a very confused Lumine to the watchful eyes of his subordinates, "and her imp, Paimon."

Hanging from his shoulder, Lumine weakly raised her head, and waved a hand. The sight of her frustrated smile caused another ripple of whispers through the bank staff. "Golden eyes," one receptionist tittered, "a-and she's adorable."

Lumine's smile fell in half an instant, "I'm not adorable, I'm death embodied."

Paimon huffed, "Is nobody going to acknowledge Paimon's adorableness?"

Not at all. "Wow," a guard whispered, "the old crone truly does tell the future."

Enough was enough. He'd have them all do 150 push-ups once Lumine left. Sighing, he hoisted her higher onto his shoulder, earning another stream of obscenities from the blonde, and a swift kick to his arm from Paimon. His laugh remained airy and casual as he carried her up the staircase to his office. The eyes of his recruits remained on the girl over his shoulder, who gave a long soliloquy on exactlyhowshe would filet his liver. He'd go for the kidney, personally, the liver could be rather fatty and difficult to cut depending on the person.

And he could not hardly wait to let the recruits know of their actions, exactlyhowdisrespectful they were being. And exactly how wrong they all were. There could be some other golden eyed, golden haired girl in Liyue that had not even crossed his path.

Or, more realistically, this was not even his soulmate. It could be a coincidence, or a simple lie.

The guard pushed his office door open and stepped aside. Shifting Lumine over his shoulder, he moved so that her head would not bump against the door - and continued to ignore the feeling of her fingers attempting to pinch his skin through his coat."I'm gonna barf on you." A warning, one he believed.

He rolled his eyes, "Fine, I'll let you down."

Lowering her to the floor, his fingers left her thighs, and the scent of flowers lingering in her hair dissipated. She stumbled away and gripped Paimon close to her chest with a gasp, eyes wide and lips parted. "I told you, I'm not above murder."

Great, neither was he. Taking another step back, her bottom hit the edge of his desk and she jumped at the impact. Childe watched his stack of documents tip over, spreading across the table like jam on bread. He wasn't going to look at those anyway. "You okay?"

"Don't look so innocent!" Paimon was screeching from her spot in Lumine's arms, "Paimon knows what you're up to!"

"Ah," he could not help the smile, the sparkle in his eyes that betrayed the utter amusement. Stepping away, he pushed the double doors closed to leave the three of them alone. His office smelled of incense, something manufactured to smell of evergreen trees and mint on the morning breeze, "And what am I up to?"

"Terrible things," Lumine attempted to sound casual as she hoisted herself up and sat on the edge of his desk. She refused to look his way, instead choosing to stare at the ink drawing of mountains on his wall.

She did not expect the office of a savage kidnapper to look normal. It was not at all what she thought would belong to a Fatui Harbinger, though she was not quite sure what she expected in the first place. Perhaps a wall of blood encrusted axes and shrunken heads, something along those lines. Crossing her legs over each other, she made herself comfortable and tried to dim the fires of anger in her stomach, "Aren't tables in Liyue supposed to be really short?"

"I prefer having bad posture." He crossed his arms and smiled. He would not let his eyes graze up the exposed stretch of skin on her thigh. It was almost as if she was sitting on his desk like that on purpose, if only she did not wear an innocent expression that betrayed the utter ignorance to her own body.

"So what do you want from me?"

To the point, blunt, he could respect that if he were not attempting to manipulate her into doing what he wanted. Blunt honesty did not often serve secret purposes. "I want to help you. I told you," a smile, an innocent hand resting on his chest, "I'm not entirely bad."

Paimon was like a rabid dog gnawing at the bit, "Lumine doesn't like bad guys! She's getting married to Huffman!"

Huffman. Who in Archon's name was that? No matter, and not a big deal at all - though he had not seen a ring on her finger. Lumine squeezed Paimon even tighter as if to strangle her, a hand covering her mouth and a scowl that could utterly kill, "Youknowto not tell our business to strangers!"

"Paimon's just trying to hel-"

The fairy was muffled and drowned out once more. Childe watched with interest as the girls struggled like siblings. His brother held and wrestled with him in that exact way more times than he could count. "That's great, I'm really happy for you.Nowif you allow me to help, you can go back home to Hoffmen."

Lumine stiffened, "Huffman."

"Heffner?"

"Whatever," a roll of her eyes, "what's your plan?"

Finally. "Do you know of the adepti?"

She was attempting to hide her emotions, avoiding his eyes as best as she could. Everything with her was a performance of pride, it seemed. "I've heard of them."

Of course she had - ignoring the fact thathe'donly heard of them just two months ago himself, "If anyone can clear your name, it would be the adepti. But you'll need…" He had planned to have the sigil of permission on hand when speaking to the traveler, but the traveler had gone and ruined every conception he thought he might have of this meeting. She sat upon the very desk the sigil was inside of, her eyes flickering to everywhere in the room besides his face.

Finally, after each picture on the wall was thoroughly stared at, she shifted her eyes to his and locked their gazes. He did not falter as he continued speaking, he would not dare. "The sigil of permission, that's what you need."

A raised brow, "And that is?"

Before he could answer, Paimon held up a fist, "How much does it cost?"

She ruffled her hair, "Good question. So, Harbinger, how much does it cost?"

"Verygood question," Childe offered a smile meant to reassure her, his brows furrowed as he rubbed the back of his neck, "it's free, just for you."

"For me?"

"For you, honorary knight of Favonius."

Lumine would not be so easily swayed, not this time, and not by someone like him. If Aether were not around to weed out the bad guys, she must do it on her own. She uncrossed her legs and swung them like a child, leaning on her palms and staring at the ceiling in thought. Her brows furrowed, her lips pursed. She looked as if shewantedto believe him, but could hardly stand her luck.

But then again, itwasher only option. And she'd gotten free stuff from people all over Teyvat. How would this be any different? AndthisHarbinger was not the one who stabbed Venti. Besides, she had always found Aether's tendency towards distrust a bit annoying.

There simply remained one question left unanswered, "What were they all gawking at earlier?"

He froze, "I'm... afraid I don't understand, girlie."

How could he not realize that every one of his subordinates stared at her as if she was a talking corpse? She could not hear their whispers, but she knew gossip and secrets when passed in front of her. "They all acted kind of weird when you carried me in."

"Oh," he grimaced for half a second before shaking his head, "they're all insane, don't pay attention to them."

Right, though shecouldimagine going insane when working for the Fatui. She watched as he walked around his desk and unlocked a drawer, fishing through the papers - and snacks, she noticed, he had snacks locked in his drawer - for the sigil. She twisted her waist around to catch him furrowing his brow and muttering under his breath, "It's around here somewhere."

"You know, a sigil of permission sounds pretty important. Shouldn't you keep it somewhere safer?"

He ignored her utterly correct advice, "Oh, here it is, underneath the… hm, I should get that cleaned."

"I don't think I want to know."

"Nope," Cheerfully, Childe held the golden scroll up, careful to not crumple the pages between his fingers as he handed it to Lumine, "You'll find them in Jueyen Karst, kotyonok."

Hesitant, she took the scroll and held it to her chest, "Do Iwantto know what that means?"

Even if Childe did not realize it, his smile betrayed the mischief in his words. It seemed to be the only time his eyes portrayed his true emotion, when endlessly teasing someone else. She could only imagine what kind of face he wore when fighting a true battle. "It'll just make you angry."

It was probably a curse, he was calling her a rude word in Snezhnayan. Huffing, she hopped off his desk and made for the door with Paimon clinging to her arm, "Thank you for your help," she turned and sent him a flat look, "but you really should know something, Harbinger."

What could she possibly tell him that he didn't already know? He raised a brow in curiosity, "Oh?"

And the bomb was dropped. "You stare to the left when you're avoiding questions or lying. You really should work on that."

Lumine shut the doors behind her before she could catch the smile fall into a deep, annoyed frown. And she was fortunate for that, the look in his eyes could mother had told him the same thing long ago. He thought he had taken care of that habit already.

Leaning back into his chair and popping a sour candy into his mouth, he rested his arms behind his head and sighed, "Soulmate my ass."

The staff of the Northland bank had to be the weirdest group of Fatui she'd ever met. It almost didn't matter that their entire operation was illegal.

"Madame!" The door guard saluted her, standing straight to attention and floundering to get the doors open, "Let me help you! Do you need assistance carrying anything home?"

Before Lumine could answer, the nearby receptionist tittered behind her desk, "Oh, lady Lumine, did the boss give you his account number?"

His account number? And to hear Childe referred to as boss, the thought was odd. He could not have been much older than her. "W-Why would he do that?"

"Oh," she winked, "so it's not really at that point yet, right? I understand."

At what point? Before she could question it further, another Fatui recruit scrambled to approach her and Paimon at the entrance. His fingers were twisted together in a pleading show of respect, his lips parted in excitement, "My lady! Do you need an escort home?"

What in Archon's name was going on? No Fatui had treated her like this before, usually they snapped and insulted her until she left them alone. Taking a step away, she pulled Paimon closer to her arm, "I'm actually sleeping outside of town in a camp, but thank you-"

"Madame Lumine! Madame traveler," another guard, "may I ask what you wish for us to do for you?"

"N-Nothing! What-"

"Lady Lumine, do you require food? Mora?"

Paimon interjected, "Yes, we do-"

It was the catalyst, the last utterance before ultimate bewilderment. The guard dropped to his knees and lowered his head as if she had a sword to his neck, "I am at your disposal, my lady!"

"I… I really don't think you are."

Paimon pinched her arm, "Just let it happen, come on! They're practicallybeggingto do what Lumine wants."

"I don't want them to do what I want!" Had they confused her for someone else? She took another step towards the door in an attempt to catch her reflection in the glass, observing if she had changed into an entirely different person. But it was the same eyes, the same face that stared in bewilderment back at her.

Perhaps Childe was not lying. These recruits truly were insane.

"I'm gonna go," she jabbed a thumb in the general direction of out of here, taking a step backwards from the eager expressions of the Fatui, "thank you, though, really. You're all very kind."

"My lady, when will you be back?"

She gave a very intelligent sounding 'uhhh' sound, "Hopefully never. Come on," she yanked at Paimon's dress, "it's time to go."

"But if they're offering, then Paimon thinks-"

"Lets go!"

Lumine ran before she could catch the exchanged glances. Confusion and misunderstanding, furrowed brows and frowns, whispers of 'that isn't good' passing between the most gossipy of the staff. Nobody dared to stop the traveler, simply because nobody would dare to argue against Master Childe's woman. That was a surefire way to be transferred to Scaramouche's team (sending recruits to Scaramouche had become Childe's favorite form of punishment as of late).

Lumine would know none of those, of course, as she planned toneverreturn to that bank again unless she absolutely must.

A day later, it became a must, as all frustrating things in her life eventually did.

Monday, 12:32 p.m, the sun shone down on a cottage nestled into the side of the mountain. Lumine was half a mile away from Liyue harbor, where the Milileth continued their search. And she knew that she did not have very much time to waste.

If only this old man was not so damn rude.

"You come to our land? And you pick all of my crops? And youdareto ask where Jueyun Karst is?"

She'd tried to give him the carrots back, and it was certainly his own fault for planting them on the cliffside above his house instead of in an actual garden. She'd climbed that cliff with sweaty palms and a racing heart for those carrots, and gotten yelled at for it. "Listen, I'm sorry about your veggies, but I promise that I'm not here to disrespect the gods of this land."

"You are!" He waved his cane around, nearly hitting her in the head, "Nobody enters Jueyun Karst! And certainly not some disrespectful little tart!"

"Tart?"

"Tart! You're atart!"

She was a dessert with jam and fruit inside? Bewildered, Lumine put her hands on her hips and glared, "I have a sigil of permission, I'm allowed to go in th-"

"Those don't exist anymore!"

"I have one right here-"

"Liar!" Another swing of his cane, one that would have knocked her entirely over if she had not backed away, "You're disrespecting our gods!"

It was absolutely no use. And his carrots weren't even that good. Paimon yanked at her hair and pulled her back towards the road, "Paimon thinks he's having a bad day."

A terrible one. But the odd thing was that he was not the first person to yell at her for asking directions.

In her travels thus far, the people of Liyue were kind and hospitable, if a bit reserved. She had asked for directions before with absolutely no problem, but the second Jeuyun Karst left her lips, canes and geo were thrown at her as if she'd committed sacrilege upon the rotting corpse of Rex it made sense, in a way. Liyue was far more in touch with their Archon than Mondstadt was. Some stranger from another land wishing to enter the restricted area of their territory would have irritated her as well. If only they would stop trying to hit her with rocks everytime she asked.

"Asking around Liyue harbor won't work," Lumine thought aloud while walking down the cobblestone road, the lights of the harbor in the near horizon, "the Millelith are still out searching for us."

Paimon zipped around her head, "Does Lumi know anybody who might help?"

Not at all. Xiangling was nowhere near the harbor, and all of her trusted friends were in Mondstadt. She'd not gotten much of a chance to speak to anybody in Liyue before being accused of dragon wasthe star seer, that old woman who claimed she could find her true love. But Lumine owed her about 9,000 mora, and she had not spent her life dodging every tab and debt she ever had for nothing.

That left the final option. The most disgusting option. The option that sent a shiver down her spine.

Northland bank.

It had only been a day. Not even a full 24 hours yet, and she was already crawling back to him.

"If only Aether was here," a sigh, as she shut her eyes to the bright world around her, as if she could shut out her troubles completely, "he had more of a sense of direction."

Paimon gasped, "Oooh, so that explains it!"

"What?"

"Why Lumine can't tell which way is North!"

Preposterous. Absolutely idiotic. Lumine may have trouble with finding places, but she knew where North was. "I know my directions!"

"Oh yeah? Where's North?"

A pause. She took a deep breath and squinted at her surroundings. Mountains, mountains, and more damn mountains. Liyue was far too rocky for her tastes. "Well, it's… it's over there."

"That's South!"

Like the old man from earlier, she began swatting at the fairy in the air. Paimon screamed as Lumine's hands nearly grabbed her by the waist, threatening to pull her from whatever it was that helped her to float. Stumbling forward, frustration began to rise in her throat, "If you're so damn good at directions, then why don't you ever help me?"

Another air dodge, another squeal. "Paimon has better things to do!"

"You just float around and eat food all day!"

"It's very tiring!"

Like hell it was. Lumine sighed and straightened up, face pointing in the direction that was apparently South. "I don't think you're right, I think that's West."

"Huh? Why?"

"The, uh… the sun. You know, the sun rises in…" Aether had tried to teach her this once before, "in the West."

"...Paimon doesn't think that's correct."

"Of course it is."

"That's not how the saying goes."

"Of course it is, Paimon."

"Lumine is really wrong…"

"I'm never wrong."

She huffed and put her hands on her hips, "Lumi needs to just go ask that dirty little Harbinger for help."

Childe, the one who's mask of propriety was barely hanging on by a thread. The one she had straddled for a minute straight until she realized just how embarrassing doing that was. The one whose neck she literally dug her teeth into.

"Never."

"Come on…"

"I'd rather eat my own tongue."

"The Millelith are gonna make Lumi be tortured far more than that if she doesn't go to Jueyun Karst…"

A prison on top of a mountain, falling to her death from heights unknown. No matter how often she forced herself to climb and glide, she still despised the look of the ground below."Someonearound here has to be willing to give me directions," defeated, she slumped against the trunk of a tree, "I don't want the Harbinger's help. Or to see his weird bank staff again."

Paimon crossed her arms over her chest in thought, "Then who else would be willing to help us?"

Who else indeed. She could make the journey to Wangshu inn and ask Xiangling, if not for the fact that Xiangling had gotten her lost at least four times in a row once. The chef's sense of direction was far worse than Lumine's. She wished Aether was there, she wished he was at her side to pat her head and calm her down. It was alwayshewho dealt with people, her big brother who knew his way around everywhere they went, and always made sure she stayed out of trouble.

Lumine had never been anywhere without Aether. Every world they visited, she remained stuck to his side like glue. Without him she felt utterly, completely, devastatingly useless. "I'm not the smart one, Paimon," she sighed and rested her head against the tree, "Aether is. I've never had to actually take care of myself before. I'm gullible and naive and I stress eat, like, all the time now."

"Well," she put her hands together and swayed in the air, attempting to look coy, "Lumi does trust really easily. We've gotten scammed a few times…"

"Five times."

"Yes, and… well, there was that thing with Kaeya."

"I really did think his grandfather was a pirate."

"And that dirty trash goblin of a Harbinger is probably tricking you."

"Yeah, I figured."

"And-"

"You don't have to keep going."

"Hey," she clenched her fists and huffed, "Paimon was about to say something nice! If Aether was Lumine's impulse control and the one that kept you out of trouble, then Paimon can try to be that too!"

Paimonalreadywas that, to an extent. She had her moments of complete obliviousness, the same as Lumine, but generally the fairy was far more distrusting of strangers than her. Lumine simply wanted to see the good in everybody, while Paimon wanted to see what food and mora they could offer. It wasn't quite like her and Aether's dynamic, but it was as close as she could get.

Her new little sister, this annoying imp that she fished out of the ocean. Sighing, she sent her a smile, "Okay, I'll let you watch my back."

"Don't fake smile," a lecture and another haughty huff, Paimon had been getting good at scolding lately, "Everybody has things they're not good at! Except for Paimon, who is perfect. Lumi just needs to remember," in a flash, she zipped up to her face and cupped her cheeks, "it's okay to be guillible and naive and a bit dumb! Paimon loves you for who you are."

"...I never said I thought I was dumb."

The grip on her cheeks tightened, "What matters is that Lumi is always authentically herself! Go and ask that Harbinger for directions and don't be ashamed about it! Who cares what he thinks?"

She was right. She was far more correct than Lumine ever wanted to admit. It felt like a fire had been started in her heart, pushing her into motion and giving her the courage to look like an idiot - which does, in fact, take a lot of courage. "You're right. He's the one sending me there in the first place, sohehas to give me directions!"

"Right!" They were nose to nose now, determination burning between them like a bonfire, "Go sneak into his office and steal his snacks! Rub your butt all over his desk! Demand compensation for the emotional damage just looking at his face has caused you!"

"You're right! I demand a refund on my time spent speaking to him!"

"Go, Lumi!" It was a battle cry that echoed through the trees. She stood and ran to the road, only half a mile away from the harbor. Paimon followed at her shoulder with little fists pumping in the air, "Lumi is strong! And independant!"

"I'm independent! I'm gonna steal all of his snacks!"

"He can buy more anyway!"

"I'll send him a hateful letter!"

"Themosthateful!"

"I won't let him take advantage of me!"

"Never!"

"I won't- uh," she stopped in the middle of the road, frozen, "I don't remember how to get to the bank, to be honest."

"...How has Lumi still survived this entire time?"

Lumine thought for a moment. She'd asked herself that question many times before - so had Jean, and Amber, and Kaeya. Her survivability rate in the wild was a local mystery in Mondstadt.

"Truthfully, I have no idea."

Paimon groaned, "Come on, let's go ask for directions again."

Childe never had much trouble sleeping at night. As a boy, he apparently would doze off as soon as his head hit the pillow, and very rarely threw fits from exhaustion. His mother had called him her 'little angel' - he had to be the easiest of all of her children.

And then he got more energy. The calm baby turned into a shy boy. And the shy boy became restless, yet he still slept at night. Even when the shy boy turned into an absolute hellion, even when Morepesok became his constant battleground, he still fell asleep instantly - no matter whose blood was on his hands that night.

It had to be the first night in his life that he laid awake staring at the ceiling.

Absolutely infuriating.

All because ofher.

He stuffed the pillow onto his face and groaned, hoping to suffocate the memory of soulmates and stars and honey colored eyes out of his mind. If only he could go into his memory and grab it by the throat, break it's neck and leave it forgotten on the ground like sidewalk trash. It haunted him, it sat in his brain and poked and prodded with endless intensity.

Not Lumine, particularly. He didn't care much about Lumine, other than the fact that she was on a journey meant to get her out of the way of the Fatui's plans. As long asthatwent well, she should not even be on his mind. Not at all. Not even one bit.

It was the prediction. It was that old woman and her stars. It was the fact that she was so damn presumptuous to assume that Tartaglia would be taken by something so little as a soulmate.

She had to be lying.

Throwing the pillow aside, he sat up from his bed and stared out the window. Silver moonlight streamed in between the curtains, his room decorated in the traditional Snezhnayan style rather than the Liyue manner. Sighing, he ran his hands through his hair and rubbed at his eyes. He had never been more awake.

That woman. That fortune teller and her lies. He'd simply have to speak to her again, that was the only solution to this challenge.

Childe yanked on his jacket and boots, nearly running out of the hotel and into the golden lit street. Even at 3 a.m. the city remained alive, but the crowd was much more to his taste. Nobody out at 3 a.m. cared about the other people out at that time, and he found it was rather relaxing that way. There was a difference between Tartaglia, the Harbinger in the eye of a constant storm, and Ajax.

Just Ajax. Just some idiotic 22 year old going for a walk at 3 a.m, trying to find an old lady he needed to have an argument with.

Not that he'd ever admit that he was Ajax in that moment. He could not be that boy for very long. All he needed were a few simple seconds of real life, of that shy boy from Morepesok with freckles. Ajax, that kid who made anamazingseafood soup and really loved his mother. Ajax, who tried his damndest to learn the fiddle even though everybody in his family hated the sound. Ajax, and the smell of evergreen in the air and campfires in the snow. Ajax, who was practically dead by now.

He couldn't handle being him, not any longer. With a sharp exhale against the warm Liyue air, he straightened his shoulders and continued down the street. He was Tartaglia, and he was on a mission for the truth.

The Mahjong parlor was always packed at this time of night. Some of his own subordinates spent their nights in the smoke filled rooms, but it was not particularly his favorite pastime. If he were to gamble, it would only be on himself and his hydro, not some pieces on a game board. But he knew that the old lady was there, she always was after the tourists had left.

It had to be the dimmest building he'd ever been inside. The hunched over figure of an old woman caught his eye towards the back of the room. She was silhouetted by the candle beside her, and gripping a cup of something hot while staring with interest. Boldly, he slipped between the game tables and made his way to her. It took a moment for her to see him, but when she finally flickered her eyes to the figure approaching her spot, her body physically tensed. She locked her shoulders and gripped the cup against her chest, "I-I haven't been doing any business with them, just like you wanted."

"It's not that," to the point, blunt, he preferred every conversation that way. He took the seat across from her and leaned his elbow on the table, "I want you to know that you're wrong."

The fear dissolved into bewilderment. Shadows from the candle flickered against her face like ghosts dancing across her skin. The entire building was a soft orange, barely noticeable to the outside world. But of course they could not hide entirely, the Millelith had always been aware of the gambling underground in Liyue. It was part of the city's lifeblood.

She looked down at her cup and sighed, "Young men are always so arrogant. You think you know everything."

No,shethought she knew everything. He was at least aware that the stars in the sky did not decide his future. "I didn't meet her."

"Yes you did, Tartaglia. Don't lie to me."

His eyes always flickered to the left. He had to work on that. "Look at my constellation and tell me what you see."

"Fine," grumbling, she set her cup down and held out a wrinkled hand, "but nothing will have changed."

"Maybe it'll be a better number of kids this time."

"Therewillbe a big family in your future," she ran her finger across his palm and closed her eyes, letting out a deep breath. In the background, a cup smashed as laughter and merriment echoed through the room, "and the traveler, of course. Constellations don't change shape easily."

Lumine was on her way to Jueyun Karst to die an honorable death to an old god and get out the way of the Fatui. He sighed, "Just tell me where my soulmate is right now."

"That's easy," she smiled, "in your office at the Northland bank."

"So… the cleaning lady? Or perhaps a thief…"

"The traveler."

Lumine was miles away by then. He pulled his hand back and stood up, offering the old woman a short bow of his head, "I think your powers are getting blurry, granny."

She took another sip of her tea, "You can tell yourself that if it makes you feel better, I don't mind."

He would, and nobody could stop him.

And more importantly, nobody could stop him from sprinting down the street at full speed, rushing up the stairs to the bank, and bursting into his office yelling 'I caught you!'

Lumine. He caught Lumine, sitting in his chair and ruffling through his papers.

"Oh, hey," she cast him a boredom filled glance, "You really should be sleeping at this time of night, it's not healthy to stay up late."

And Childe - he more so felt like Ajax in that moment, though - simply stared.

"You okay?"

Ajax squinted. Lumine grinned.

"So, I need directions to Jueyun Karst. Can you help me?"

Notes:

Thanks for reading! Don't hesitate to share genshin headcanons with me, I'd love to hear them!

Chapter 3: Incredibly Regretful Beginning

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter fornotes.)

Chapter Text

"So, I need directions to Jueyun Karst. Can you help me?"

Directions to Jueyun Karst. It was three in the morning, and she wanted directions to Jueyun Karst fromhim, of all people. She was either dumb, or playing along with his game. He found that he could not quite tell.

Standing up straight and running a hand through his hair, Childe tried his best to smile. For the first time on this night he felt exhaustion creeping up on him as if the anxiety inside of him had finally been laid to sleep. Lumine watched in the dim light of the moon while he closed the office doors, "I never would've thought you'd need help with that, of all things."

She leaned back into his chair and rested her feet on the desk, with Paimon snoring happily in her lap, "I'm a bundle of mysteries, Harbinger. You can't predict me."

He knew someone whocould. Another possible explanation was that the old woman and Lumine were working together to distract him with an abundance of absurdities. It would not be the first time that was attempted. Suspicious, he took a step towards the desk, freezing once he felt something crack and break underneath his heel.

"Did you…" looking down, his smile dropped into a blank stare, "did you break my window?"

"I had to get in somehow."

The only window in the office was a tiny square cut out from the wall and made from a wooden screen in the Liyue style. He'd never liked it very much, it let in far too much of that humid sea air that stuck to his throat and grated it like sandpaper. Now that the traveler had smashed the wooden screen to bits, even more of the breeze filtered in, rustling his hair back and smelling of spices.

Lumine offered a bashful grin. Paimon snored even louder from the spot in her lap. "Sorry about that."

"No," Childe put his hands on his hips and appraised the damage, "it's fine, really. You're right, you had to get in somehow."

She didn'thaveto get in, but nevertheless, there she was. Their eyes met in the dim of the moonlight.

Lumine seemed to practically glow in this setting. Blonde and pale and dressed in white, it was difficult miss her in the dark. As Childe set about lighting a candle with a box of matches kept in a drawer, she began her explanation, "So, I'm here because I have a wonky map. See," she unfolded a crumpled paper until it took over his entire desk, "it's all wrong."

With the candle giving him a better view, he leaned over the map. It had notes and scribblings of ink over all of the edges. Bubbly handwriting and drawings of flowers littered certain places, labeling where herbs and plants grew specifically. On top of Mondstadt, particularly, was a large heart and the words 'H & L'. He could have burst out laughing at the absolute teenage-girl-ness of it all if he were not sleep deprived.

He settled for a smile and traced the road lines to Jueyun Karst. It was correct, printed and published with the title on top of the great mountains. "There's nothing wrong with your map, it looks fine to me."

"No," she shook her head and pursed her lips, "I'm getting lost all the time because of this thing."

The way the map was published originally seemed perfectly accurate. It was her notes that were odd, labeling Springvale in the wrong place, and Liyue Harbor as far more South than it actually was. In the corner of Liyue, she wrote 'oceanid', but the location was several inches West of where the oceanid truly resided.

He smiled to himself and laughed. That was yet another thing he figured out about Lumine. 1. Afraid of heights, and 2. Absolutely terrible at directions.

His soulmatehadto be the cleaning lady in his room before her. It had taken several minutes for him to arrive at the bank from the Mahjong hall, the cleaning lady was probably doing a late night job, and left right before Lumine broke in. Or, perhaps it was a thief who was scared off by the traveler literally breaking his window to bits.

The fact of the matter was simply this: his soulmate is not Lumine. If Childe were to ever marry - if he ever decided to care about that kind of stuff - it would be to a woman who could climb mountains with him, andatleasttell East from West. Not this oblivious, dim headed girl who reminded him of a yappy dog.

Then it was decided. He knew himself, of course. He knew that if there was a chance the fortune teller was correct, he was simply missing the bigger picture. The most obvious conclusion, though, was that she was a dirty liar who was pulling his leg in an attempt to con him.

And Lumine needed to get out of the picture before it was finished. Whatever was happening with Rex Lapis was something that should not involve her.

"Here's how you read a map," he dragged his finger from Liyue harbor to the road line, traveling up to the mountains in the Northwest, "just follow that road, don't take any detours. I thought you were a traveler."

"I am."

"Then shouldn't you know this?"

"I usually do."

"...What direction does the sun rise?"

She huffed, "I am not having this discussion again today. Listen, this world doesn't have a North star,nora natural magnetic field, at least not one I'm able to detect."

Yet, normal people seemed to get around just fine. In whatever country this girl had come from, she'd probably lived under a secluded rock.

Childe knew it would be dumb to kill her himself. While he tended to prefer the hands-on and entirely blunt approach of an arrow to the chest, killing the honorary knight of Favonius would only inflame unrest between the Fatui and Mondstadt. And Pantalone would attempt to slit his throat if he ruined his current diplomatic operation in Mondstadt. The Tsaritsa would be rather angry if they started trying to kill each otheragain, bless her gentle heart.

So, she had to die 'accidentally'. The plan came to him like fire on paper, "What if I sent someone with you?"

"Like," her eyes narrowed and she slipped her feet off his desk, sitting up straight as Paimon snorted and snored against her arm - he didn't know a fairy could produce that much drool, "A guide?"

A nod, "Like a guide, someone to help you get there."

"I don't know if I want to travel with a Fatui…"

"I'll send my best guy," he was his own best guy, so technically it would be hissecondbest guy, "you'll be in good hands."

Suspicious, she stared with narrowed eyes. The candle cast shapes against her skin with it's flickering, mingling with the sliver of light of the moon from the broken window. She was simplyoddlooking. She didn't have the strong features of a Mondstadt native, nor the softer features of a Liyue local. She looked closest to Snezhnayan; pale, with high cheekbones, but that wasn't quite right either. She was simply Lumine, unable to be categorized correctly by any of Teyvat's standards.

And she had so many facial expressions. She switched from suspicion, to a thoughtful muse, back to suspicion. He watched it flit across her face like a dance, until finally she sighed, "I guess. I just hope he doesn't push me off a mountain."

He knew she could glide, he'd seen the wings attached underneath the cape part of her dress. Laughing, he went on, "Paimon could push you off a mountain at any time, how is this different?"

"It's far different," she shivered in disgust, "I only force myself to climb mountains out of curiosity, and even then I almost vomit every time."

That was an amusing scene to imagine, the honorary knight of Favonius as a shaking, vomiting mess. He sort of envied the officer he'd send along getting a front row view to the amusement.

"When I fought Dvalin," she went on quietly, "I was running on pure adrenaline the entire time. Venti, a friend of mine, you know, he sent me flying through the air on a glider... I'm pretty sure I died a little bit inside."

None of the Harbingers had known much about the Stormterror incident. Getting into his lair had been a goal of theirs for a while, and only until the elemental currents died down could they explore. By then, the dragon was set free from his suffering, and not seen again. It had been a point of great contentiousness for La Signora and Childe, who had their different arguments on the matter. Signora wanted every tiny detail to be completed, and not having a full report on the battle with Dvalin drove her crazy. Childe was simply pleased that the job was done in the first place. He was more of an act now, think later kind of man.

The reminder brought him back to the moment. He stared at the traveler in his chair, this frail girl in a sundress-type thing who couldn't tell what direction she was facing. Even her glare was funny.

"Did you take care of Dvalin by yourself?"

He was genuinely curious, she could see it on his face. Lighting up, she straightened her shoulders and nodded, "Basically. Venti helped a bit, but he felt really bad for hurting Dvalin. I ended up doing most of the work."

"And…" he racked his brain to remember the rest of the important Favonius knights involved, "did anyone else help?"

"Not really."

Childe stared. Lumine stared back, eventually breaking into a shit-eating grin. He could not help but return it, though his intentions were far from proud or braggatory. More so, he found it funny that this elf of a woman took down an entire dragon.

How he wished to have seen that.

"Just how powerful are you, traveler?" He imagined a lot of screaming, a lot of missed sword swings, some tears. La Signora had told him in detail of how easily she was held down.

Lumine's grin fell, she seemed nearly irritated that he woulddareto question her strength. "I used to fight Gods, you know. That's how I got into this situation in the first place."

"I… I'm sorry," he wasn't, "but I'm having trouble believing you."

It was sudden. She erupted out of the chair and slammed her hands onto his desk. Paimon vaulted forward out of her lap and rolled across the floor in a scream of shock and squeals. Lumine ignored the harshly awoken fairy at her feet and glared - though he still found that expression hilarious on her face. "Do you want to fight, pretty boy? Let's go, right now. Right here. Let's go."

As much as he'd love to, he'd probably kill her. Again, diplomacy was so boringly important.

But he appreciated her willingness.

"So," a calm smile, "you think I'm pretty?"

"Lumi!" Paimon shot into the air like an arrow, immediately yanking at Lumine's hair and kicking her shoulder, "Why do you always do that? Paimon was having a wonderful dream!"

"I'm about to fight this jerk!"

Childe couldn't quite decide what she thought of him. The look in her eyes was an attempted murderous glare, but underneath the layer of anger, that honey-brown told a different story. He had always been good at reading people - and choosing to not acknowledge the reading half the time. This time, he wanted to acknowledge it, to understand and comprehend just why she looked so utterly upset, as if she was about to cry from anger.

It was still funny. And it would just get better, for Childe could hardly believe that she defeated Stormterror. Lumine, who was endlessly bullied by her fairy friend, who hid something bigger and far scarier underneath her confrontational anger.

It was like she was trying to make up for something. Interesting.

And it was decided. "I've changed my mind, actually.I'llbe your guide."

Her glare dropped in an instant. Paimon froze mid-smack, eyes wide and lips parted. Both girls stared at him as if he'd just committed murder, chaos frozen in time.

What in Archon's name was he thinking?

He desperately tried to cover up the wave of regret washing over him. Turning away so Lumine could not read his face, he stared out the window instead, "I'd really like to see what you can do, traveler."

And it was not a lie. He would like to put her in the worst possible situations and see how she reacted, if she disappointed him or not. And the end result would be an escort to Jueyun Karst, a death by the adepti/elements/challenges - whatever decided to take her life there - and then the continuing of the Fatui's grand plan for whatever it was the Tsaritsa wanted.

One problem: if Lumine was truly his soulmate, then he just put himself into a terrible situation. Traveling, with her, across the country. Just him, her, and Paimon.

The solution: she, obviously, was not his soulmate.

It was not common for Childe to regret the words he spoke, but in this moment he found himself grappling with the feeling of absolute absurdity. Reassuring himself that the fortune teller was a lying conwoman, he forced a casual smile onto his face and turned back around to face the bewildered traveler, "I think it would be fun."

And of course, as Lumine was compensating for something - he wasn't sure what - she had to take the challenge.

"You're on, Harbinger," both she and Paimon smiled conspiratorially, "take me on the most dangerous route to Jueyun Karst imaginable."

She was stoking the fire. He could respect her confidence, finding himself genuinely excited for the journey ahead. Thoughts of soulmates and stars and destiny had disappeared, replaced with the anticipation of testing Lumine's strength.

He was expecting to be entirely disappointed.

"Meet me near the Northern gate in two hours. It'll be quite a long journey ahead of us, girlie. Don't be late."

Lumine would be late if she damn well wanted to be late.

She wouldnotbe, but that's besides the point.

"Nobody ever discusses anything with Paimon. Why is that? Is she not respected? Too small?"

Too small. Definitely too small."I'm really sorry, I just get so heated up sometimes," Lumine truly felt bad for accepting Childe along on the journey without asking Paimon first. She had to put up with the Harbinger as much as Lumine did, and a smaller body meant more pent up rage - Paimon was probably like a floating bomb. "He challenged me and I just couldn't let that slide."

She sighed. Paimon felt as if she'd aged years just from being thrown off Lumine's lap in the middle of an argument with a Harbinger. Waking up to two competitive idiots challenging each other was not nearly as entertaining as she thought it would be - and she was about to endure that for an entire journey.

Zipping around to get into her face, she huffed and rested her hands on her hips. Lumine froze mid-step as Paimon glared, taking up every inch of her vision, "That filthy gutter man is just going to stab you while you're sleeping!"

"Don't be silly," she patted the pocket holding the sigil of permission, "he wants to help us, and maybe challenge me a bit but I'm sure it's all friendly fun."

"Lumine thinks a Harbinger wants to have friendly fun?"

When put that way, itdidsound rather stupid.

But he was so calm. He had been calm at the Rite of Descension, when helping her out, when she literally broke into his office and stole his snacks - he had not noticed the snacks part yet, though - and when she called him a trash goblin. He had plenty of opportunity to kill her in the last 24 hours, he didn't seem like the type to connive.

"Paimon knows what's going on in your head…" her voice dipped so low it almost sounded like a threat, "Lumi's being too trusting again. Didn't we talk about this already?"

They did. Paimon would be her impulse control, the distrustful one, but she was not Aether, she didn't have the people skills he had. Lumine had to try, at least, to not believe everything she's told. She thought she had been doing well, she'd even insulted Childe without blowing up in anxiety from her sheer rudeness. That was progress.

Yet, the fact remained that Paimon was right. And she had no idea what the Harbinger had in mind. Sighing, she stepped back and avoided her eyes, "I don't know why I agreed. I guess it's either him or some other weird Fatui officer, though."

"Or Lumine could learn directions."

"I know directions- Look, I don't want to have this argument again." Another sigh and a roll of her eyes, "we only have an hour left before meeting him. It's already said and done, and…"

"You're excited to challenge him, aren't you?"

"So much."

"Right," Paimon rolled her eyes and floated away, hair flapping in the wind as she moved through the air, "Paimon thinks you're both making decisions while sleep deprived."

That, also, seemed to be true. Lumine had not expected Childe to burst into his office at three in the morning yelling 'I caught you!'. She wondered exactly who he thought he would catch, as it obviously was not her. She hated to be a disappointment, but she needed a place for the night, and fully planned to sleep in his chair until morning.

No sleep would be had, neither for him, nor her. Two hours was not very long to prepare.

She walked down the street and eyed the bakeries and food vendors opening for the morning. She would only buy what she could not get in the wild, such as salt and pepper and soy sauce. It was all her mora could get her, and was never a problem as she usually hunted well enough. She wondered if Childe would be the type to bring an entire bag of ingredients and make huge meals every night - Xiangling had almost spoiled Lumine by doing that.

But then again, Childe was probably some mechanical, heartless creature like Katheryne. He probably just kept the snacks in his drawer to make him look more human.

When he burst into his office, the first thing Lumine noticed were the dark circles under his eyes, and the absolute monstrosity of a bed-head he wore. He didn't have the mask in his hair, and lacked the usual attire, making her think he rolled out of a mattress and ran through the street to catch whoever it was he was looking for. He seemed nearly as sleep deprived as she was.

Their journey started in an hour, now. She'd wasted the first hour just walking around Liyue harbor arguing with Paimon, and ducking into alleyways to avoid the Millelith.

She could hardly believe what she was about to do. To go on a journey with a Harbinger. Her concerns lie more in whatever form of entertainment he was planning, rather than if he would turn on her. She could easily beat up some lanky ginger, no matter how tall and experienced he was. She'd find a way.

"Paimon just thinks that you look terrible," it was a soft scolding, the kind that was laced with concern, "The Harbinger did too, as if neither of you had gotten any sleep."

She hadn't, but she couldn't see how that mattered. "Good, if he's sleep deprived then he'll have his guard down."

"But you're sleep deprived too!"

"I'm used to it," she laughed as she snuck around the corner of the street, slipping underneath the bridge to avoid the watchful eyes of the guards, "I bet he's spoiled, he probably never travels by himself."

Paimon could hardly be convinced. In a rare moment of reflection, she floated at Lumine's shoulder as she trudged through the shallow water under the bridge. In the distance the sun began to rise, casting the shadows of the guards and passersby onto the ground at her left. She hoped that she was at the correct gate.

Paimon sighed and dropped her weight onto Lumine's shoulder, "Just promise Paimon that if he tries to kill us, you'll be at least a little bit prepared?"

She was always at least a little bit prepared. And on the off chance that she was not prepared, she was a mastermind at resourcefulness.

Or so she liked to think. Aether told her that she was a mastermind, but she had a feeling that he was just trying to make her feel better about herself. He always did stuff like that, as she imagined most big brothers did. Little sisters were quite impressionable that way.

It was an absolute shame that the sun rose so early, she would be able to sneak out of Liyue much easier if not. She recognized the familiar shadows of the Millelith against the sand, mingling with another shape leaning against the side of the bridge. It was 45 minutes until the determined meeting time, yet she could pinpoint the sharp angles and lines of the Harbinger's form on the bridge above.

He was here just as early as her. Perhaps he was almost as impatient for the challenge as she was - or he had much less to pack than she did. What would a Harbinger even pack for a journey? Bones and blackmail letters, most likely, and a vial of his enemy's blood? That seemed plausible.

Lumine froze and watched his shadow shift and move in the reflection of the sunrise. He stood up straight, face pointed to the sky as he whispered, "Lumi, is that you?"

The shape of her body stretched out across the riverbank. She raised a hand in greeting, "Who else would be meeting you by the bridge at this time of day?"

"I don't know, really. A troll, perhaps?"

A troll. She felt like one with her heavy eyes and growling stomach. "Do you want to meet by the pond up ahead?"

"How romantic," he laughed. She watched his shadow shift against the sand, his head glancing towards the Milllelith standing guard nearby, "See you there, lover."

A laugh, one that was not at all familiar. It was older and wiser, accompanied with an under the breath statement, "Young love, it's cute."

She listened to Childe laugh above her, "Isn't it? We'll have at least nine kids."

Nine kids. His laugh was like bells on the wind, a hint of something fuller and far more emotional underneath. Lumine followed the movements of his shadows to the edge of the river, until he finally appeared from the side of the bridge entrance. He wore his uniform, now, rather than his pajamas, and spread his arms wide as if he intended to hug her. "You're early, babe. You wanted to see me that much?"

Lumine pushed herself up the rocky hill to meet him. He chose a blindspot away from the eyes of the Millelith. She and Paimon shared the same murderous glare, "You're early too. If I can tell the time correctly," a glance at how high the sun rose in the sky, painting the world orange, "it's about 45 minutes before you said we'd meet. You must be excited."

"Mind blowingly so." His smile was like the sun, like a giant ball of gas blowing up and destroying an entire universe. He was terribly bright, especially for five in the morning.

Did this man wake up and sing to birds? Did he dance through the forest and interact with squirrels? How could anyone be so bright this early?

"You know you'll be fine, right? I heard your talk with Paimon," his gaze flattened in a serious look as he flickered his eyes to the glaring fairy, "I promise, on the honor of my family, I won't stab you in the back."

"You won't stab me," Lumine sent him a glare, "but you might gouge me, or disembowel me."

"I actually don't like disemboweling," a grimace, "it's really messy, and I hate doing laundry."

"Aren't you charming…"

"I try," he chuckled under his breath and steered her towards the directions of the road, far enough from the prying eyes of the Millelith, "though I'll admit I'm surprised you agreed to this."

She was too. It was not something Aether would do, he'd try to stop her from it. She put her hands on her hips as they began their journey, "I'm a very surprising person. I could slit your throat right now and you'd never see it coming!"

Paimon groaned, whether it be from sheer embarrassment, or barely concealed fear. With a smile, Childe glanced over his shoulder, "Try to resist the urge before we get to Guili plain. There's about three ruin guards there I want to see you up against… Aren't you excited?"

Not at all. She was usually excited all the time, but she would not dare to show it in front of the Harbinger. "Come on," he laughed again, holding her wrist as he pulled her through the pathway, out of the sight of the Millelith and to the staircases built into the road. Impatient, as she thought he would be, yanking her by the wrist down the hill into a frantic stumble. He smiled against the dawning sunlight, with Lumine dragged behind him like a little kid.

"Excited to be put against three ruin guards?" She tried to sound sarcastic, "I'm ecstatic."

"Are you?"

"Not at all."

"It'll be nice!"

"Nice?"

"Yes, like a picnic."

Like a picnic. His title fit him, 'Childe', the man who yanked her along the stoney road towards the image of the ruins ahead. She imagined that it was like what having an overactive son would be like - making her all the more against the idea of having one. It did not help that his legs were far longer than hers, he covered far more ground than she ever could.

Perhaps he was sleep deprived. He was absolutely manic.

And nervous.

Nervousness did not sit on him well. It rested over his shoulders like a too-heavy blanket, suffocating him under its warmth. Lumine allowed him to pull her along the road as she watched the tensity of his back and the stress in his neck. His excitement fell silent while he half jogged. She and Paimon shared a curious glance at the sight of the literal Harbinger yanking the hero of Mondstadt across a Liyue road.

What in Archon's name was wrong with him?

"Paimon thinks he's on drugs."

Lumine resisted the urge to laugh out loud at the whisper from her friend. Paimon gripped her hair as her body was dragged through the air by Childe's pace, barely keeping up with the excitement. Lumine found her feet and yanked her wrist away, "Are you on drugs?"

He twisted around with a furrowed brow, "Excuse me?"

"Drugs. Are you on drugs?"

"Not at all, in fact. The only drug I'm on is the adrenaline of an approaching battle."

"You're terrible."

"A bit, yes. I'd surprise you, though, with how unterrible I am."

"I wouldn't believe it."

"It's not like I didn't expect that," another shiny smile with a hint of bashfulness, "what else would you think? I understand your point of view. The future is quite unpredictable…" he put his hand to his chin in thought, "but it's our actions that decide what happens next, don't you think?"

This man had to be some sort of forest princess in disguise. Or perhaps a mountain sage who drank from wild, mossy streams. It was the only explanation.

Mildly disgusted, Paimon floated by his shoulder, "How much sleep did Mr. Harbinger get last night?"

"None at all, why do you ask?"

That explained that.

It was unfortunate that Lumine was in the exact same state. She followed behind, far more comfortable to watch his back rather than he hers. She and Paimon shared a knowing smile as Childe led them down the dirt road. The Wangshu inn was a silhouette in the distance, a man-made mountain with it's very own horizon.

So started the journey of the Harbinger and the Traveler. "I could get used to this," Childe put his hands behind his head and closed his eyes to the morning breeze that kissed his cheeks, "it's nice to be away from town for a bit."

Lumine thought the opposite. She was in the wilderness so often that cities were refreshing, though she often found herself stifled after a day of enclosed buildings and artificial smells. "Do you not travel very much?"

"I don't usually have the time," he glanced over his shoulder with a look in his eyes she could not determine, something pleasant and nostalgic, but guarded against explanation, "I'll travel for debt collections sometimes, but nothing like this."

"This may not be debt collecting, but it's still for work," she kept her eyes on his back, "I imagine that dims the fun for you a bit."

"Just a little, but it's still nice."

Hours passed with idle chatter in the air. A statue of the Geo Archon had caught Childe's attention - he had a hood, not a silly hat, yet he still insisted that he was bald underneath it. During the journey, Paimon gave a rousing speech about the taste differences between native Liyue flowers, and Lumine resisted the urge to fall on her face from sheer exhaustion. It was an unspoken battle between her and Childe, to see who would collapse first. And it would not be her.

Guili plains was a mostly flat area, dotted with towers and camps and ruins. It was one of the more inhabited parts of the wild in Liyue, basically crawling with Millelith guards. As they passed underneath the shadow of a guard tower, Lumine took the spot at Childe's left to use him as a shield from their watchful eyes. He only chuckled and ruffled her hair, "Don't worry, they probably have no idea what happened yesterday."

She yanked back, nearly tripping over her own feet if not for Paimon pushing against her shoulders, "News travels far more quickly than you think, I just want to avoid having to fight them again."

"Yeah," he sent them a bored glance, "theyarepretty boring."

The journey continued with ease. Lumine did not pry into his life, and he did not dare to pry into hers. With a practiced wall between the two, they discussed the semantics of sword sharpening, as one does, and listened to yet another lecture from Paimon - this time it was about the taste differences in fish, which Childe, very surprisingly, had many opinions of.

Lumine noticed that he was calm. He walked beside her with precise casualty, as if she were a lifelong friend. It was nice, in a way, to have someone other than just her and Paimon along for the journey. She reminded herself to keep her guard up nonetheless.

It was nearly lunch by the time they approached the ruins. Childe's shoulders seemed to loosen even further as the broken and abandoned walls rose up over the hill. He sighed in satisfaction and sent his half-asleep companion a smile, "There they are, there's actually about eight ruin guards in there, but I won't make you fight all of them."

Lumine had her eyes half closed, her mouth mid-yawn when he started to speak. Forcing herself to focus, she stood to attention and glared the best glare she could muster, "I'll fight all eight, I'll do it."

"Well, five of them don't activate. I haven't figured out how to get them to wake up yet…"

She would not admit it, but three was a far better number. "O-Oh, well… next time, I guess."

"Next time," he clapped a friendly hand on her shoulder, "come on, I'm excited to see what you've got."

It was the one moment in the journey so far that Lumine would allow his hand to stay on her body. Exhausted, she felt as if her knees would give out any moment, yet Childe's grip on her shoulder as he steered her towards the ruins kept her awake enough to move on. A concerned Paimon held onto a lock of her hair with furrowed brows and a frown.

"Paimon thinks that maybe we should take a nap first?" She tilted her head, "You know, to get ready for the fight?"

The dark circles under his eyes were just as bad as Lumine's, "I feel fine."

"Sure you do…"

"We'refine," Lumine nearly growled as she spotted the first ruin guard ahead, sitting under a crumbled stone gazebo, "I can do this, I've done worse."

He smiled, "You used to fight Gods, right?"

"Right! Don't condescend me," forcing the exhaustion aside, she pushed a finger into his chest, "I'll show you something you couldn't imagine even in your wildest dreams."

"Oh," Paimon buried her face in her hands, "Don't tell Paimon that Lumine's going to trythatagain."

"What's that?"

The fairy huffed, "The stupidest thing you'll ever see."

The promise of Lumine's words and Paimon's dread only drilled itself further into Childe's mind. He kept his eyes on the traveler, grinning even more as his heart skipped a beat. She was so feisty, so determined and competitive. Nobody around him dared to challenge him like this anymore, it felt like it had been forever since someone promised him something new.

He doubted that it would live up to her words, but he was excited nonetheless. "Come on, girlie, show me what you've got."

Lumine took a step forward, and put her hands on her hips. The ruin guard remained still as she bent down to find a large rock broken off the side of the walls. "I found this out one day when I accidentally dropped my sword."

"Lumi didn't drop it," Paimon's voice was flat, "you gave it to Amber when she dropped her bow."

"And Amber had absolutely no idea what to do with it-"

"So Lumi found a rock…"

These girls really knew how to hype up a story. He exhaled in anticipation, "And?"

"And," Lumine held up a stone larger than her hand, "I figured out how to oneshot a ruin guard."

He could not help but grin, "That's impossible."

"It's really not. I'll show you."

"She cheats," Paimon whispered as Lumine approached the guard, "she uses anemo to make it fly harder."

"Ah, I see." He didn't know she even had a vision. She had absolutely nothing on her person that would betray that information. He wore his hydro vision at his belt for the world to see, never understanding why some people chose to hide theirs. And to use anemo to vault a rock through the air and oneshot a ruin guard, he couldn't imagine that anyone's vision would even be strong enough for that.

Lumine despised the sounds ruin guards made. It was like a foreign language coming from a corpse's mouth, covered up by the noise of turning gears and rusted bolts groaning. She flinched as the guard lit up with energy and pushed its body off the had a pattern. One stomp, turn around and use the missiles, then clap its hands. She could not allow it to use it's missiles, or she'd drop her rock. Feeling Childe's eyes on her back, she ran down the stairs of the gazebo and listened to the sound of the ruin guard's feet crash upon the stone.

She turned around, and grinned. Paimon groaned somewhere behind her, "Don't miss this time, got it?"

"I'll try!" She closed one eye and aimed for the weak spot.

Childe cupped his hands over his mouth to be heard over the mechanical groans of the monster, "It's okay if this doesn't work, I won't judge you!"

"Shut up!"

His expectations were to the floor. Lumine was entirely too caught up in proving herself, he wouldn't doubt that she was exaggerating her rock-throwing prowess. He watched as she took a deep breath, and reared her arm back. With a flash of sea-green anemo winding itself up around her body, she threw the projectile in a clean arc through the air.

The rock hit the ruin guard square in the face. It stiffened, spider-web cracks traveling across it's glowing core. The stone wedged itself inside, and the long mechanical limbs began to jerk and drop.

It fell to its knees. Quieted as quickly as it had woken up. Lumine stood over the monster corpse with her hands on her waist.

Stunned silence settled over the ruins like a blanket.

Childe's heart was in his stomach. He felt as if he'd swallowed a wasps nest. And Lumine was gorgeous in this lighting.

"Told you I could do it… W-Why're you staring at me like that?"

He composed himself and glanced away so she could not read the flurry of emotion crossing over his face, "That might have just been a lucky shot, you should try it again."

"Fine," haughty, she brushed past him, "whatever it takes to prove myself to you."

He watched her go with the wasps in his stomach still stinging every inch of him. She searched the ground for another rock and mumbled in tired annoyance. She did cheat, and the fight he expected was entirely too anticlimactic, but the ruin guard was beaten, as he asked. He never said how she had to fight them.

If she threw rocks at ruin guards, how did she fight other enemies? Did she hit slimes with a broomstick and plant banana peel traps for hilichurls to trip over? It was positively comical.

His heart was doing a gymnastics routine. He assumed he was just tired.

"Hey," Paimon pinched his earlobe and pulled it, immediately catching his attention, "stop staring at Lumi. Don't think Paimon doesn't see that look in your eyes."

"What look?" he pulled his head free from her fingers and smiled, "Can't I be impressed?"

"Not likethat!"

"Like what?"

"Likethat!" She clenched her little fist and waved it in the air, "Keep your disgusting emotions to yourself, sewer troll!"

Sewer troll. The nasty nicknames were just getting better. Ahead of them, Lumine held up a sharpened stone and yelled, "Hey sewer troll, do you wanna try it too?"

Archons, he wanted to try it so bad.

"You're on, princess, we'll see who takes 'em down the fastest."

As Childe jogged to meet her, and they shared the same excited, anticipating grin, he realized that he was, for the first time in forever, having fun.

He reminded himself to keep his disgusting emotions to himself.

Childe discovered rather quickly why Lumine had trouble with directions.

She was incredibly attention deficient.

"Look at those, wow.Wow! What kind are those? Oh, gosh, look at that fish, Paimon look at that fish."

"That is a darn good fish," Paimon floated at the edge of the water, hands on her hips, "Paimon's never seen such a tasty looking fish before."

"We've got to get it," Lumine abandoned her calla lilies on the riverbank and dropped to her knees beside the water, "I heard that if you stick your hand in the water long enough, fish will start coming up to you."

"Ohhh, try it! Paimon's getting hungry!"

Childe watched the scene with a mixture of amusement, and disgust.

He was not a tight-laced man. He was not strict, hardly anybody in his family was. His father had taught him how to laugh and enjoy life's flow, control what you can and let the rest happen. But there were rules to nature, to the universe, to the animals and plants and skies. He respected those rules as best as he could.

And one of the biggest rules of all was: Do not put your hand in strange bodies of water.

Not that he'd stop her. And that rule mainly applied to Snezhnaya and it's frigid temperatures. Losing one's hand to hypothermia was not a very nice way to go. While there were no poisonous reptiles in Snezhnaya, the cold was far more dangerous. In Liyue, one could bathe in the water easily, while risking stepping on a very angry snake.

Again, though, it was not as if he planned to stop Lumine. It was nice to take a break and sit beside the pond for a minute, even if Wangshu inn was only a mile away and there was absolutely no need for her to catch dinner for the night.

"Oh, I felt something brush across my fingers," she squealed, "it was slimy!"

"Ewww… keep going, Paimon thinks it'll be fine, she's watching for snakes."

Did they always do this? It had been happening all day since the rock fight with the ruin guards. He won the challenge, of course, having cheated a bit himself - catching her leftover anemo currents and using a burst of hydro to give the rock a little more oomph. It was after the challenge that he discovered just how distracted Lumine could truly be.

First, she had to pick sweetflowers. After the sweetflowers, she chased down a bird for lunch - she did not catch it. After the bird, she took a quick detour to speak to a traveling merchant for 15 minutes, while Childe attacked a nearby hilichurl camp. After the merchant and hilichurl camp, he felt that he was finally beginning to understand how to travel with someone like Lumine. She wandered off the road and got lost for a minute while chasing after something shiny, and Childe simply entertained himself by attacking whatever monstrosity made the unlucky decision to come across his path. It worked, in some odd way.

And it explained entirely why Lumine could never tell where she was going. Her mind and her eyes were everywhere at once, and never on the actual destination. Even with the shape of Wangshu inn in the distance, she still seemed confused as to where to walk next.

It must be nice, he thought, to run around and do whatever she wished. As much as he loved his job, he didn't have freedoms such as that. Watching her kneel besides the pond in an attempt to catch a fish in the worst possible way made him smile nonetheless. She was so carefree, and she could afford to be that way.

He sat down beside her and sighed, folding his legs over each other. It was serene, peaceful. That was something he appreciated about Liyue, as odd as the warmth and pleasant breeze were. "You know, if you tried that in Snezhnaya your arm would freeze and fall off."

Lumine sent him a wide eyed stare, still leaning over the water with her arm halfway immersed, "Really? Like, really fall off?"

"Really."

"Woah… so, if you're a hydro user, you're more prone to get frozen, right?"

"I guess," he shrugged thoughtfully, "But I don't usually have much trouble with that."

Paimon landed on Lumine's back, using her as a chair, "Paimon heard that Snezhnaya was really cold all the time."

"You're right, it's like a constant blizzard."

"So how do you not ever get frozen there?"

"I…" good question, he just simply never had that problem, "I don't know. I think I move too fast."

"You know," Lumine spoke with her face close to the water, peering down into it's depths for any sign of her fish, "I heard a rumor that hydro users are always slimy."

"...Slimy?"

She glanced up at him, "Yeah, wet all the time. And growing moss and mold because of the excess moisture."

Who in Teyvat told her that? He narrowed his eyes, mildly bewildered, and mildly resisting the urge to laugh at the absurdity of it all. "I assure you that I'm not excessively moist."

Lumine glanced at him as if she had trouble believing him. He wondered if he looked excessively moist, he oftentimes was quite damp when using his bow in a battle, but it was from the water droplets of his arrows, and never had been a problem. She sighed and turned her head away, looking at the water, "I think we've been scaring the fish away by talking."

"Fish have ears?" Paimon slammed her palm onto Lumine's back in shock, "Where?"

"...That's a good question…"

Where the girls lacked book-smarts, they abounded in humor. He laughed again, throwing his head back and enjoying the warm sun on his skin. Lumine yanked her hand out of the pond and flicked water onto him, "Shut up, slimy!"

"You're the slimy one," chuckling, he pulled a damp tendril of grass off her arm, "you should know better than to try to catch fish like that."

"I'm hungry."

She had only snacked on apples and sunsettias on the journey. He had stolen a meat skewer from a hilichurl camp he cleared out while she picked fruit nearby, but it was all either of them had, and they'd been walking and fighting all day.

And neither had slept in over 24 hours. It was pure adrenaline that kept them awake.

"The inn is really close by," he glanced at the shape of the building in the distance, "we can stay the night there."

The day had gone by in a flash, like an arrow through the sky. It seemed just two hours ago that he was meeting her outside of the harbor for this regretful, surprisingly fun adventure. Now, the afternoon was beginning to settle down into the peace and calm of evening.

Lumine wiped her arm off on her dress and stood, brushing the sand particles from her legs, "Okay, I haven't seen Xiangling in a while."

He followed suit, "Is that the chef? She once threatened me with a meat cleaver because I didn't use chopsticks."

"Sounds about right."

"We can get a room for the night as well," he crossed his arms over his chest and smiled into the distance, "maybe they'll have that nice upstairs room available this time."

"...Sure, that nice room. That's fine." Lumine began to walk away from him. Paimon floated at her shoulder and patted her neck soothingly, her whispers unknown to Childe as he followed. She pushed herself up the rocky hill and back towards the road where they had taken their detour, her hands clenched into tense fists.

He was not an oblivious man. He had a tendency to read someone like a book, even when he didn't care in the least. The annoyance that dropped down upon Lumine so suddenly was as obvious as a target on her back. "Are you okay?"

She was not. He recognized the sigh that came from her lips. That was the same sound his mother made when his father walked through the house with snow covered boots. Tonia had started making that sound when she turned 12 as well, always when he picked her up and spun her around - she secretly loved it, though, he knew the sigh was just for show.

Yet, Lumine's sigh was real. He wasn't tracking snow through the house, and he wasn't being an embarrassing older brother, but she had given him the sound he knew women to make when they were angry.

"Lumi?" He quickened his pace to catch up with her, "Really, are you okay?"

She whipped around to face him in sudden anger, fists clenched with the sunset shining golden on her skin. She glared, and took an angry step towards him, "If you're going to travel with me, you need to know one important thing!"

He was not at all phased by her anger. Crossing his arms and tilting his head, he smiled, "And what is that?"

"I do not spend mora on silly things such as inns, and beds. You can stay there if you like, Harbinger, but I will be camping outside for free."

"Okay," he quipped, "but why're you angry?"

"You assumed I have mora! Not everybody is a rich kid like you, I-I bet you've never had to sleep on the ground! You just think everyone around you can afford the same fancy hotel rooms! Well," she stomped her foot, "we can't! Paimon spent all our money on sticky honey roast last week!"

"P-Paimon didn't mean to!" The fairy delivered a light punch to her arm, "It's not her fault she can't count!"

"How is that not your fault?"

"Lumi," he put a silencing hand on her shoulder, not able to resist the smile spreading on his lips, "I'll pay for the room, don't worry."

"Like hell you will!"

This woman could not possibly be his soulmate. This woman who was offended over the idea of spending mora, who reminded him far too much of his mother when she was angry, who took down ruin guards with rocks and a bit of anemo. This woman, who tried to argue with him at every little corner in the road.

He sighed, and put his hand on her back, nudging her in the direction of the inn, "Just let me handle it, girlie."

"No!"

Paimon floated beside his shoulder, "Paimon'll let you handle it, she'll take the most expensive room they have!"

"Sure, whatever you want!"

"No!" Lumine jerked her body away and glared at her companions, "I don't want your pity!"

He rolled his eyes, "You're being really prideful, and I assure you that usually it would be cute, but I'm actually really tired right now so my patience levels aren't as high for this kind of stuff."

Lumine gasped in anger. Every mannerism reminded him of his mother, and sister, and grandmother, and his cousin twice removed. It wasn'tsoclose to resembling the women of his family that shelookedlike them, but he got the idea that Lumine would fit right in with his little troupe. She'd be right beside his mother, lecturing him for getting into a fight for no reason.

He could see it now. Heavy coats and snow in her hair, sitting beside a campfire and laughing with his sister. He could see her and his father trading stories, Teucer sitting in her lap, hot chocolate and warm stew. The homeland would wrap itself around Lumine and hide her from the world.

Perhaps, just perhaps, Lumine might be a bit good for him. Just a little. It was impressive, her pride and her competitiveness, her willingness to throw rocks at ruin guards, her laugh and her sense of adventure.

She was kind of beautiful.

The realization made his heart and brain and every other functioning organ drop into his stomach in some sick cocktail of dread and anger. It felt as if he might burst apart, his skin tingling and his chest thumping and his knees vibrating in some sort of sick anxiety. He despised that feeling. He'd never had a feeling he despised more.

But he could not despise Lumine. She didn't ask for this.

It was not as if Childe did not have hormones, or normal human desires and wishes. He noticed attractive women as much as a man usually would, but he never quite acted on those observances. To have a lover would be a distraction from his real goal, and not something he'd ever been truly interested in. He simply did not care.

And even now, he couldn't bring himself to. If Lumine truly was beautiful to him, then that would not be the end of the world. He simply had tonotallow himself to fall in love with her.

Don't fall in love with Lumine. The future was still in his hands.

"Come on," he nodded in the direction of the inn ahead, "I promise I won't make you pay me back."

She watched him for a moment. Her lips were curled into a frustrated frown, her eyes stoney and glaring through his body. Like a rope fraying and snapping down the middle, the tension dropped out of her shoulders, and she sighed in absolute defeat, "If you're paying, then I want the most expensive room they have too."

Relief. Sweet, dear relief, underneath the frustration and the stubbornness she could let her wall down. He wouldn't have been able to sleep that night knowing she was camping outside out of sheer spite.

"Come on, zvezda moya, let me take you to dinner."

Plan A: failed. He is beginning to think that Lumine's constellation is, maybe, perhaps, just atinybit, intertwined with his.

Plan B: commenced. No matter what the universe had decided, he would doeverythingin his power tonotfall in love with the traveler.

Notes:

childe: you can't just throw rocks at giant monsters, yell at me, and make me start thinking you're hot!

lumine: feralness go brrrr

Chapter 4: A Blooming Friendship

Chapter Text

Lumine had to wonder what zvezda moya meant. It was probably an insult, that bastard.

"Oh, you two look terrible," Xiangling laughed in that way of hers, the way that dissolved the anger away from her insult, "you look half dead, chopsticks."

Chopsticks, that was an even better insult than zvezda moya. At least she understood what it meant, although the implication behind it remained unknown. Casting a glance to Childe, Lumine could not help but smile, "You kind of do."

He returned the look, "You look worse."

"I don't know. You'rebothpretty bad." Xiangling said.

And truthfully, they were. No matter how much either of them denied it, they both wore pale faces and dark half-moons beneath their eyes. Childe's hair stuck up in what seemed like a hundred places, mirroring Lumine's own short style. Xiangling wiped her hands on her apron and delivered a swift hug to Paimon before grinning once more at the odd duo, "Really, I didn't think I'd ever seeyoutwotogether."

Childe looked at Lumine and Lumine at him. She tilted her head, eyes wide, "You know her?" Xiangling hadn't even been in Liyue harbor as of late. Ever since a cooking competition in Springvale, the young chef had been on a food tour throughout Mondstadt and Liyue. Lumine only knew that she was at Wangshu inn because she'd stopped there on her way to the harbor just a few days ago. It was her idea of a vacation, cooking in an entirely different kitchen than her own. Xiangling had only been there for several weeks, but already attracted the attention of foodies everywhere.

"Yeah," Childe put his hands on his hips and grinned, "this is a favorite spot for the Fatui."

"They really let the Fatui in here?"

That didn't seem much like what the boss lady would approve of. Xiangling grinned nonetheless, Paimon still in her arms, "If they've got mora and taste buds, they're good with me, as long as they don't cause trouble."

Of course, she would not hesitate to use extremist thugs as taste testers, their psychopathy might've even given them mutated taste buds. She turned on her heel and carried Paimon up the stairs to the top of the inn. Childe began to follow with Lumine on his heels, "We're paying customers, thank you very much."

Paying.The reminder drew a shiver down her spine as yet another worry began to culminate in her gut like poison. The Harbinger was paying for the rooms, for the dinner - he was taking her todinner.He called her something in Snezhnayan that she didn't understand and with the sundae of absurdities was the cherry on top: his nickname from Xiangling was 'chopsticks'.

Chopsticks.What a deceptively normal, almost goofy nickname for someone who's supposed to be so lethal.

Lumine eyed him suspiciously, "So, what's with the nickname?"

"I have many names, Lumi." Childe answered cooly.

The comment caught her off guard. She forgot that he also went by Tartaglia but she'd not called him that even once. "Did you choose chopsticks willingly?"

He smiled at the orange sky above, "I didn't choose any of them."

"So, what's it mean?"

"I believe that they're utensils used by the locals here in Liyue."

A sigh from her and a bark of laughter from Xiangling and Paimon at the top of the stairs, "No, why're you called that?"

Before he could answer, the chef grinned, "You'll see. We keep forks and knives at Wanmin just for him."

Ominous. So ominous. She could hardly take it any longer. Irritated, she hurried to overtake Childe and join her friend ahead. As nervous as it made her to have her back to him, she preferred it over having to see his smile any longer. Especially after how he looked at her earlier. She would have punched him for that look in his eyes, the one she couldn't decipher in the least.

Arriving at the inn, Lumine rushed in after Xiangling in her attempt to create room between her and the Harbinger. Casual as can be, he followed with his hands in his pockets, casting a glance to the boss lady behind the desk. "I'll get us a room, printsessa."

There was the unknown language again - most likely Snezhnayan - coupled with the use of 'us'. He'll getthema room, both of them. Hopefully separated by thick walls.

Lumine shot him a glare sharp as a dagger. He laughed and leaned on the desk as she turned away to follow Xiangling into the basement kitchen. Paimon floated out of her arms and zipped to the food shelves with the uncaged excitement of a foodie with four stomachs. Yet, the second he was out of eyeshot, Xiangling whipped around to grip Lumine by her shoulders and stare with the intensity of Guoba's stomach after eating a pepper,"Whyare you running around with a Fatui Harbinger?"

And here was the woman who didn't discriminate against tastebuds. It was nice to know that her friend cared for her safety, at least. "He wanted to see if I was strong."

"You saved Dvalin," she rattled her shoulders as if that would restart her brain functions, "is that not a good enough resume?"

"Apparently not."

"He might kill you!"

As much as Lumine hated to admit it, Childe had a point several days ago; anything could kill her. Paimon could even kill her if she truly wanted to, so Childe wasn't special if she truly thought about it. "I don't think he will…"

Xiangling and Paimon shared a flat look. "Lumi's being naive again. I thought we talked about this," the chef sighed and clicked her tongue in dissatisfaction, "men like that are the jeuyun chilis of society. They look delicious and shiny, but when you bite into them your mouth burns!"

"He is not delicious, nor is he shiny. And Ididbite him, he's not spicy either."

"E-Even I wouldn't taste that! Lumi... I saw the hydro vision at his belt," Xiangling glanced at the entrance nervously for any signs of Sneznhayan eavesdroppers, "is he… you know?"

She sighed, "He's not slimy either."

The chef looked as if she could not believe it. Perking up at the sound of footsteps descending down the stairs, she turned to approach the counter and begin working in her attempts to remain free of suspicion, "Just be careful," it was a whisper hissed across the room, "who else would hunt boars with me if you were brutally murdered?"

Lumine shrugged, "Literally anybody else, I imagine."

"Y-You're right, but the fact remains!"

Paimon floated lazily to Lumine's shoulder and leaned her arm against her body, sighing. The sound of boots on the wooden stairs drew closer only to reveal Childe around the corner as he peeked into the kitchen. His eyes shifted over Xiangling at the cutting board, to the food stock and the hearth in the middle until they finally landed on Lumine and lit up in the most subtle of ways, "Hey, I got a table and put in our orders, Lumi."

The once calm and satisfied Paimon erupted like a volcano. She was like an arrow shot from a bow, zipping through the air and attacking the Harbinger's face with angry little fingers. As she often did to Lumine, she gripped his cheeks and pulled him close, "You didwhat?"

He yanked himself away, "I ordered food?"

"W-Why would you do that? Why? Sewer trash doesn't know what Paimon likes!"

Behind Lumine, she heard the sound of an order slip being passed to Xiangling from the pulley system, and a soft whistle from the chef. "This'll be fun…"

Childe went on, "I ordered everything."

"...Everything?"

"Everything they have to offer, yes."

That wasoneway to earn Paimon's heart. As quickly as the anger arrived, peace prevailed. She was docile as a kitten, then, gently floating back to a bewildered and mildly shocked Lumine, whispering, "He ordered everything, Lumi..."

"I-I heard…"

From the outside, one would not be aware of the dread Lumine felt. One could not see the horror and terror in her eyes nor the anticipation for her own set of morals dooming her to this fate. Childe gave her an odd look and gestured to the staircase behind him, "Let's go eat, you look sick."

"I just…" her heart raced as she squeezed a dreamy Paimon closer to her chest, "I was going to make myself feel better by washing all of the dishes after dinner."

His brows furrowed, "Make yourself feel better?"

"Yeah," exhaling slowly, she stared at the floor in her attempts to avoid the manic laughter from Xiangling in the background, at leastoneperson was having fun with the huge meal order, "I don't like not working for my food."

Paimon groaned in sudden annoyance, "Just accept the gift Lumi! How often does this happen?"

Not often at all. Childe offered a smile, "Idoget it, though, I was raised that way too. But there's no need right now," approaching, he wrapped an arm over Lumine's shoulder and led her to the stairs, "it's the Fatui's mora I'm spending here, doesn't that make you happy?"

"Perhaps... just a bit…"

"Great! So we'll sit," he followed Paimon up the stairs with Lumine under his arm, "eat, and discuss rock throwing techniques again."

"And…" she gulped her dread down thickly, "the plan for tomorrow?"

"Right, that too."

He led her to the middle level, where a table sat on the balcony awaiting their arrival - with forks and knives placed neatly in rows, instead of the traditional chopsticks. The evening was settling into the day and turning the world dark, a welcome change from the stifling heat of the afternoon. Sitting down, Childe took the spot across from her, while Paimon explored the balcony area in her ever-present curiosity.

Exhausted, she felt as if her knees might give out from the moment's rest the chair offered. She appreciated that they were not sitting on the ground like the other tables, she might possibly have leaned back and fallen asleep before dinner ever came. Sighing and rubbing her eyes, she tried to ignore the height of the balcony, "Okay, so, how far away are we from Jeuyun Karst?"

He rested his elbow on the table and stared her down, "About a day's walk. It's not too far."

"Okay… and then what?"

"We talk to the adepti."

"Okay,and…thenwhat?"

"And they…" a pregnant pause. He looked over her shoulder to the mountains in the distance, his face blank, "I don't know what they'll do. I hope they at least challenge us, that would be fun."

Fun. Right. The Harbinger had an odd idea of what fun meant. She sighed and mirrored his position with her cheek in her palm and eyes in the distance. His gaze flickered back to her, and his lips erupted into a sly smile that she tried her best to ignore.

"That's the plan, now we can move on."

"To rock throwing techniques?"

Lumine didn't sound excited in the least for that subject. They were in the country of literal geo and she, somehow, was not interested in the ancient art of rock throwing. She was basically a pioneer in it, with how she took out the ruin guards. It was fortunate for her that the Harbinger had something else entirely on his mind, "So I was looking at your map earlier after I killed that mitachurl-"

"When did you do that?"

"You were chasing a bird at the time."

"I see…"

"Anyway," he put up a hand and chuckled, as if embarrassed, though the sparkle of mischief in his eyes betrayed the truth, "I saw that you drew a big girly heart over Mondstadt."

Also, her and Huffman's initials. She was aware. "I assumed you would be polite enough to not comment on it."

He was not. "Is the H for Hufflemon?"

"Huffman!"

"Huffmac."

She could have killed him. She could reach over the table and smack the smirk off his lips, send him flying over the side of the railing to his death below. Feeling slightly nauseous, she glanced at her right where the wooden rails sat between her and ultimate death. It was as if he picked this spot specifically due to her rather obvious fears.

Asshole. He was a smug asshole. Sighing against the forming headache at the back of her neck, Lumine buried her nose into her hand and shut her eyes, "I give up. What about Huffman?"

As most things about Childe were, his response was entirely too unpredictable. He straightened in his seat and sat to attention, eyes wide with curiosity, "What's he like?"

"Y-You…" she lifted her head, "you want to know about him?"

"He's your beloved, isn't he? Why wouldn't I?"

Technically not. Besides the fact that he did not know she existed, Lumine could also name a million reasons why Childe shouldnotfind anything of interest in her beloved. Yet, if he was asking, she could oblige. Unable to form her scrambled thoughts, she stared at the walls of the inn for a moment, as an excuse to not look at the excessively high-up position this table was in.

After a beat of patient silence, she rested her cheek in her hand once more. She watched Paimon dig into a potted plant and talk to herself, looking for hidden treasures. Lumine's mind wandered, and rambled, and ran. Childe was far more patient with her thought process than she would have assumed.

"He's…" she tapped her fingers on the table and bit her lip, cheeks growing warm, "he's kind to everyone he meets. He's responsible, he has a steady job. He has nice hair… He's handsome. Gosh, sorry, the dam's broken now."

Childe leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms over his chest. He stared at her as if interviewing her for a job position, "Go on, I don't mind."

If he didn't mind then neither would she. "He's dedicated to his line of work, and he's willing to put himself in danger for the lives of others. He's tall, and his eyes are like warm chocolate cookies on a Sunday morning."

"They're that nice?"

"You have no idea."

He apparently did not. He raised a brow as if he was skeptical, but ultimately satisfied with the description. Sighing, he tipped his chair back and glanced at the horizon of mountains in the distance, eyes lingering there, "He sounds like a good guy."

Dramatic, she put her hands over her mouth as her cheeks turned bright red, looking almost as if she wanted to melt in her seat, "Oh, you have no idea. He's so good…" looking up with a bashful smile, the dusting of blush on her cheeks caught the air in his throat and trapped him in place, "He just doesn't know I exist, is all. But one day he will. You can't rush love."

Deep breaths, Tartaglia. Subtly, he inhaled through his nose, keeping his eyes level with hers, and exhaled. He needed to reclaim himself from whatever predicament the sight of Lumine blushing and smiling like the sun itself put him in. With his arms still crossed, he continued to balance on the back chair legs and attempt to act casual, "You're right, you can't. Unless you're soulmates…" a wicked grin blooming into fruition on his lips, "I know someone who can tell you."

Everyone had a price, Granny had to cave into a bribe to lie to Lumine. The plan was beautiful, perfect, absolutely wonderful. His saving grace, and the silver lining on the clouds. He felt like a genius, if not for Lumine's nonchalant shrug, and the words that struck a very particular chord inside of him, "No, I talked to one the other day, she said my soulmate, or uh starmate, is in Liyue."

The front legs of his chair smacked back onto the ground. He sat up straight, eyes wide and arms tense, "Did you already talk to that old woman?"

"Yeah," now Lumine was the casual one sitting back in her seat, "she told me he was in Liyue, and our stars were intertwined or something like that. I didn't listen past that part, though."

Thank the Tsaritsa. Thank every Archon in Teyvat. She didn't know.

Relief flooded his body like waves on the shore. He closed his eyes and sighed, running a hand through his hair. Chuckling, he revelled in the feeling that Lumine had absolutely no idea what was really happening. "Well, I believe our futures are decided by our actions. You never know what way the stars will shift."

"Yeah," she rested her elbow on the table, "I'm not gonna allow anything like that to control my life. I'll marry Huffman one day, and I might even invite you to the wedding."

A genuine laugh now, something ecstatic lining the tone of his voice from sheer relief, "I'll try my best to make it."

He wouldn't, but that was besides the point.

"'You have entered the misty realm of Jueyun. For worldly affairs, return East…' Lumi, who's having an affair?"

The traveler was an absolute mess this early in the morning. Her hair stuck up in odd places, her socks were on backwards, the flower in her hair remained upside down. She clutched her mug of coffee closer to her chest and shut her eyes, "It's not like an affair between two people, it's a… a job, or something we have to do. Like, 'I need to take care of my affairs today'."

Paimon giggled, "Paimon knows, she just wanted to see if you're awake."

"Wonderful."

Childe watched the interaction with interest. He held his own cup of coffee, though he was far more awake than the traveler. When asked whyhewas not a walking zombie, he answered with a monologue about life in Snezhnaya and how a true warrior was ready to awaken at any time. This monologue was promptly ignored by both Paimon and Lumine.

Xiangling was kind enough to lend them coffee cups for the journey, made from bamboo and expected to be promptly returned. Childe's generous tip last night had sparked some sort of generosity in the chef as a result. And perhaps it was, also, because Xiangling had traveled with Lumine before andknewhow she was in the mornings. She felt bad for Childe, and the monstrosities he would witness in the journey ahead.

Though he found that he did not mind it in the least.

First, it was Lumine's sheer grumpiness. Her grunts and under-the-breath complaints proved to be a mild amusement, until it became absolutely hilarious when a hilichurl jumped out at her, and she delivered a swift punch to it's face.

They had only been in Jeuyun Karst for about 30 seconds by then, and Lumine was already fighting. Stepping back and inspecting her knuckles, she glared at the monster, "You made me spill my coffee a little."

Just a little. The hilichurl earned a kick to the neck no matter how much coffee was spilled.

"Stop looking at Lumi like that," a tiny shaking fist in his peripheral caught his attention, "what did Paimon tell you yesterday?"

Keep your disgusting emotions to yourself, sewer troll. He was aware. Taking another sip of coffee, he watched Lumine step on a hilichurl and dig her heel into it's wrist, throw back a shot of her drink, and deliver a kick to it's ribs. His heart skipped a beat, the wasps in his stomach returned. "I'm sorry Paimon, but how could Inotwatch her?"

"Paimon gets it, Lumi is like a war goddess come down to bless humanity with her beauty-"

"I wouldn't gothatfar, but-"

"But Mr. Harbinger needs to stop staring like that!"

He sighed, "Like what? You still haven't told me."

"Likethat!"She hissed and punched his arm, "It's disgusting!"

He had no ideahowhe was staring. He thought he was a simple bystander, not gawking at her in the least. Hecertainlywas not eyeing her bottom or chest, and he was not falling to his knees in deep love with the woman either. Paimon seemed to be overprotective, when he was simply watching the show with the amusement of a man in love with the idea of battle.

It was that simple. She stabbed a hilichurl with the jade dagger he gave her, and he sighed in satisfaction. "This is even better than watching the sunrise."

Lumine's ears finally perked to attention. She stood up straight, her coffee now spilled and discarded on the ground. Glaring, with dark circles under her eyes and the worst bed head he'd ever seen, she scowled, "Come on, let's get this over with."

Xiangling had tried to warn him about Lumine in the morning. The sight was better than he imagined.

She stomped ahead of him down the pathway, shoulders slumped and eyes flat. He jogged to catch up and stay at her side, "So, printsessa, are you ready for today's challenge?"

"Challenge?" She rubbed her eyes and frowned, "You're still challenging me, even after the ruin guard thing?"

"Yep, and even after…that."He glanced over his shoulder at the destroyed hilichurl camp, "as beautiful as that was, I'd like to see you in action with a sword rather than your heels."

The heels were nice as well, not too high and not too showy, perfect for stomping on monster necks and kicking in ribs. He could appreciate a woman who knew how to deliver damage without a weapon, but the slice of her sword was what captured his attention. He'd only gotten a glimpse of it the other day in Liyue harbor.

Lumine yawned and pushed her bangs back. They stuck up comically, but she could not bring herself to fix them. She truly was a sight to see in the mornings, with her dark undereye circles and her killing glares. "What if, hypothetically, I didn't have a sword? What if all I had were my appendages?"

"Then that's perfectly fine. I know you can figure that stuff out," like how she threw rocks at ruin guards, and held her coffee in one hand while round-housing hilichurls, "but I'm still curious what you'll do in a fight that actually challenges you."

"So… you want me to fight an adepti?"

Again, an absolutely beautiful thought, but most likely would not be productive for either of them. He put his hand to his chin in thought, following her down the pathway littered with shattered houses and overgrown trees. Jeuyun Karst was beautiful, wild and untamed. Lumine passed through the tendrils of abandoned forestry and mountain as if she were raised there.

He watched her for a moment. She cast a nervous glance to the mountain nearby, grimacing. Childe did not have many fears, personally, but he preferred to never fight in enclosed spaces. He didn't enjoy having to reign himself in so as to not destroy the world around him, which wasexactlywhyhe chose to spar in those places. It was the same logic as him using a bow, if he was not a master at it, he would work until he could be.

The same must go for Lumine. He was a kind man, generous, caring; he would help Lumine overcome her weaknesses, just as he helped himself.

"Today's challenge," a wicked grin that drew both Paimon and the traveler's immediate ire, "is to fight a mitachurl."

She turned to face him with an arrogant huff, "That's no big deal."

So she said. He knew that she would react that way. Holding up a finger, he tilted his head, "But, you'll fight one on… that mountain."

That mountain not being a true mountain at all, but rather a large hill. It was still rocky and steep enough to steal the color from Lumine's cheeks as she followed his finger. That hill, that height, that particular spot in the distance where she spotted a camp of relaxing hilichurls.

Childe had a good eye. She caught the shape of a mitachurl shifting against his wooden shield. It was not the size, or the sounds, or the strength of such a beast that scared her about this challenge, it was the location. Childe picked the nearest cliff, with the camp of monsters sitting right on the edge. One swing from the mitachurl's shield, and she would fly off the side.

Her fingers shook. Her knees grew weak at the thought. She could remember her first time falling as if it was yesterday, endless wind rushing up past her ears and deafening her to every other sense. The wings ripped from her back still ached with phantom pain. And she awoke without Aether at her side.

She looked at the Harbinger. He smiled innocently, and she could not help the flicker of rage in her chest. Aether would not refuse, Aether would not be terrified by such a challenge. Aether would accept it with grace and blow his expectations out of the water.

"Fine, but if I fall and die, you're the one scraping my body off the rocks."

He put a hand on her shoulder and smiled, closing his eyes and tilting his head, "I wouldn't have it any other way. Now go on, comrade, show me what you've got."

Comrade. She'd heard the Fatui call each other that in Mondstadt before. The rage simmered away as she perked up, "I'm your comrade?"

"If you don't disappoint me, then sure, we'll be the best comrades there ever were."

The best comrades there ever were. She could not help but laugh at the cheesiness of it all, "Okay, fine. If I don't disappoint, then you're stuck with me as your comrade."

His eyes widened in mock surprise, "You'd want to be stuck at my side?"

Lumine's gaze flattened in an instant, "I want you to pay for Paimon's meals, her four stomachs really dry my wallet out."

"I can do that."

"And," another haughty correction and confident smile, one that locked him into place and froze the world around him, "I want you to help me with something."

That was interesting. That had to be one of the most interesting things she'd ever said. In the day of travel so far, never had Lumine asked him for anything. He, already, thought her predictable, far too arrogant to allow help from others. His curiosity flickered into life, "And that is?"

"I hate to ask the Fatui," she grimaced into the distance, "but I need help finding someone, and I imagine your group's, uh…diplomacystretches rather far." Lumine looked as if she despised the words spilling from her lips, "the truth is, I cannot find him on my own."

"...Who?"

Lumine shot him a sly grin, "I'll tell you after I absolutely blow your mind."

Before he could argue further, Lumine broke into a run. He watched as she sprinted up the hill and flexed her hand at her side. Out of thin air, her sword precipitated into her hand and moved into action at the first glance of a poor hilichurl. One could not even scream before Lumine delivered a smooth gash to it's chest.

Paimon had disappeared moments ago, disgusted with the idea of more challenges. Childe smiled and walked up the hill to the edge of the cliff where Lumine promptly kicked a hilichurl off. She ducked under an arrow, and lunged to impale her assailant. The mitachurl behind her reared up for a dash attack.

Hecouldwarn her, but she did not need it. As quick as could be, she dodged the dash and stuck the mitachurl in the back, abandoning her sword in it's thick hide for a moment to pick an abandoned club off the ground and bash it over the head of it's previous owner. In another flash, her sword was retrieved, and flying at the wooden shield in her attempts to break it apart.

"Come on," she yelled over the chaos, sending him yet another smile that froze him in place - she was good at doing that, almost as if she had cryo that affected only him. "I know you don't want to just stand there!"

He didn't. She already knew him well.

He summoned his bow and notched a hydro arrow, closing one eye as he aimed for the mitachurl's head. A clean shot, and Lumine was lining the beast up perfectly for him. It was as if she read his mind. "You sure don't disappoint, girlie."

Her breath was ragged from the excitement of battle, "So are we comrades? Are you going to help me?"

"I'm forever…" he exhaled and let the arrow loose, watching it tear through the air and lodge itself in the mitachurl's skull, "I'm forever in your service, my printsessa."

She laughed and pointed the end of her sword at him, just freshly ripped from the chest of a monster. Her hair was wild, her dress was wrinkled and messy. Her smile made her eyes shine in a way he'd never be able to forget. She knocked the air out of his lungs, and he felt as if he would stay breathless forevermore.

"You're stuck with me, Childe. Remember that."

Dear Archon. He realized it like a punch to the face. He might, actually, be stuck with her.

This couldnotbe happening.

Moon Carver

Unfortunately, it was happening.

It took an hour to walk to the spot where Lumine would meet Moon Carver. Her tired morning mood began to clear as the sun began to shine, and far less hilichurls were stepped on during the journey. Childe kept at her side as they walked in comfortable, after-battle silence, imagining what these ancient beings would be like.

It turned out that the adepti were not very interesting at all. Childe was sure he once had jerky made from something that looked like Moon Carver.

And it was all well and good until the deer opened his mouth.

"You are aware, Harbinger, that that woman is your starmate, correct?"

He froze. His entire body felt as if it had been encompassed in ice. Every drop of blood in his system tingled with sheer anger and rage at the words that barely reached his ears. Lumine ran ahead to meet the Millelith tracking her, if he had not lingered behind, then the talking deer would not be saying such disgusting things.

Looking over his shoulder, he forced a tense smile, "You think so?"

The deer opened his mouth as if he was laughing. He tossed his head around as the battle raged ahead of him, Lumine entirely out of earshot. "Go in peace. Your future is already set in the stars, Ajax."

Wonderful.He desperately needed to kill something to let off some steam.

Mountain Shaper

Lumine insisted upon using the trail to go up the mountain. She wouldnotclimb the rocks, even though they were faster, and Childe was stuck at her side as they walked up this absolutely boring pathway through the mountain.

He played along with Lumine's plan to convince the terrified man that they were messengers. He threatened to kill him for his insolence - which was incredibly fun - and promptly assisted her in breaking apart the amber chambers to find this man's brother. It was after that, that Mountain Shaper appeared to him.

Childe would have to make notes of the appearances of the various adeptus. They were all animals, and rather boring ones at that. He hunted a bird that looked like Mountain Shaper once, it was for his parent's anniversary dinner. It was delicious.

"Human," the bird seemed to spit out it's words, catching Childe mid-step as he turned to follow Lumine down the path. She was escorting the terrified men to the bottom of the path where it was safer, not having seen that Mountain Shaper appeared. "I have choice words for you and that woman's insolence… but to end the lives of two souls made for each other, I could not live with that dishonor."

Two souls made for each other.

It was difficult to not be snarky to an ancient god. Desperately, he wanted to cut him down for being thesecondadeptus to bring this up.

"Lumi," annoyed, he called down the path, "I found Mountain Shaper, come back up here."

"Okay, hold on!"

The bird threw its beak up in arrogance and stared him down with beady black eyes. He met its gaze, hoping that it could read his anger as easily as it read his future. "Explain yourself, human! You and your starmate have trespassed on this sacred land and undermined a divine punishment!"

Him and his starmate. He, definitely, was going to start hunting more birds that looked like that.

Cloud Retainer

Cloud Retainer was far more tactful about the stars.

Perhaps Childe was in a good mood from helping Lumine cook three dishes, or perhaps it was the fire pillar puzzle and how he made her angry by not listening to her instructions. Neither of them had pyro, so they relied on matches, with Childe lighting them, and Lumine telling him which ones to light. It went as well as one would think.

He was in a good mood, at least, until Cloud Retainer - also a bird - informed him, very haughtily, of the state of his constellation. "Your future is deeply intertwined with that girl. But I sense… a denial inside of you."

A bird was trying to be his therapist. He could have laughed from the sheer frustration of it all. Fortunately, as it had been happening all day, Lumine was out of earshot from the conversation. She was attempting to grab Paimon from some chaotic trap she'd gotten herself into, while Childe spoke with the fancy, arrogant bird, and was informed for what felt like the millionth time that day that: he was wrong, and Lumine was his soulmate.

It was depressing, in a way. He found that he could not argue with the adeptus this time. He could hardly bring himself to glare.

Wangshu Inn

It was two days of travel through Jeuyun Karst for the trio, two days of fighting monster camps, and two days of Lumine avoiding every mountain in her way. Childe did not think about work even once during the journey.

It was a modern day miracle of a whole other type. Simply because Childe, now, could not deny it any longer.

Lumine is his soulmate. That much is for sure. To ignore the words of the adepti would be to ignoring the universe itself, and he was not dumb enough to do that. Yet, Childe was determined, and if the universe decided who he would love, he would fight against that tooth and nail. His future is his own.

How could he possibly conquer the world with his strength if he had to watch over Lumine all the time? It just didn't work.

She walked ahead of him on the road, Paimon at her shoulder and her dress swinging around her knees. It was later in the evening, when Lumine seemed to have the most energy. From the last two days of camping in Jeuyun Karst, Childe quickly discovered that she was not a morning person.

He also discovered several items of interest that would be reported to the Tsaritsa upon immediate return. Several of them being what kind of food Lumine likes - very salty meat - and her weakness for pretty flowers, fighting mitachurls (she enjoyed taunting them) and searching through abandoned houses.

Aside from the basics, her battle sense was spectacular, and she enjoyed doing fancy tricks with her sword. Childe attempted to tell her that she shouldnotdo fancy tricks with sharp weapons, but he quickly grew to learn that Lumine had zero interest in listening to him.

Absolutely zero. Her exact words were, in fact, 'you're crazy, Harbinger, I know how to use a sword'.

Wangshu inn appeared as a silhouette in the distance, as it always did. The edge of Jeuyun Karst neared with a sense of relief from Lumine, who seemed glad to be away from the mountains. Childe found that he enjoyed the mountains, the weather was far less stifling.

Lumine was a good camping buddy as well. She prepared well, she set up a tent well, and she started campfires well. She didn't snore at night, and she didn't stab him in his sleep, which he was appreciative of. By the time he, Lumine, and Paimon exited the boundaries of Jeuyun Karst, the feeling between them was something terribly casual, and absolutely horrendously comfortable.

As if they were two centimeters away from friendship. So close that he could almost touch it.

"Was it just me, or was Cloud Retainer like… kind of a badass?"

He thought for a moment. He didn't know if he could consider a bird in that context. He'd seen weirder in his life, but did feel the slightest bit nauseous that she spoke into his mind, as if she saw every inch of him. The adepti made him feel naked and exposed.

Besides that, each one of them had said exactly what he didnotwant to hear. "Why do you say that?"

Lumine slowed in her pace to take the spot at his side as they walked, "I just respect a woman that builds her own house. I think I would do the same, and anyone who entered must face trials of strength before we speak."

"So," he imagined it for a moment, "let's say I come over for dinner-"

"What're we having?"

"What?"

"What're we having for this hypothetical dinner?"

"Oh, well… I'll go out to sea, first of all, and catch 100 crabs."

"Crabs?"

Ahead of them, Paimon groaned, "Crabs sound good right about now."

They did. Lumine seemed to live off solely meat and mushroom skewers. "So imagine a 100 of them. I'll cook a hundred buttered crabs for our dinner together."

"Alright, so," she resisted the urge to laugh as they walked on, "you come to my home with 100 crabs, you've got to fight a battle and solve a puzzle before I even speak to you. When you finally get through it all, me and Huffman and our two adorable children make you answer a very cryptic riddle."

"I'm cooking all of these crabs for your family and you still make me answer a riddle?"

"I can't make exceptions for friends."

Friends. That's what they felt like now, friends who told dumb jokes and shared stories and fought monsters together.

It was almost as if he placed another brick on his wall, making it just the slightest bit higher. Crossing his arms and sighing, he looked at the road ahead, "I don't really have friends, to be honest."

If Lumine was hurt, she did not show it. "There's nobody in the Fatui you'd call a friend?"

"They're coworkers."

"Back in Sneznhaya?"

Not in Morepesok, not at Zapolyarny palace. The Tsaritsa was kind to him like a friend, but he would not dare consider her as such. The other Harbingers didn't care much for him, and he felt nothing in return.

He sighed in thought, "I've got my brothers, but they're still… you know, my brothers."

Lumine stiffened at the word. She glanced away and exhaled a soft breath into the warm air, the moon above shining down on her skin. She was ethereal at night, that was another thing he'd notice during their camping trip. "I kind of feel the same, orfeltI guess. My brother was my only friend for so long, but now I have a lot more. It's nice, even if I miss him a lot."

"Oh? You've never told me about your brother."

Childe liked to think he didn't have much of a conscience. He didn't enjoy needless slaughter of innocents, lying, or manipulation, but he never lost sleep when he did have to do those things. His morals and preferences were not so strict that they poked and prodded at him, but the line he cast out for her did.

Shehadto know that nothing she told a Harbinger was confidential. She was naive, but not stupid.

"Aether," she cast him a smile, "he's my twin. Bet you never guessed that there was another one of me around."

He rolled his eyes and thought of how he just watched her try to catch fish with her bare hands, "There's no one quite like you, Lumi."

"And don't you forget it! My big brother is positively boring compared to me!"

Her big brother. So she was the little one, if only by minutes or hours. She nearly matched Teucer's energy and penchant for dramatics, he could imagine being in Aether's shoes, "Is that who you want the Fatui to look for?"

She deflated like a balloon. He'd seen that look in her eyes, barely hidden behind the arrogant compensation. Now, she wore it on her shoulders like a shawl. "Yes, how did you know?"

"You got this look on your face when you mentioned him," he explained casually, "It was just a wild guess."

"A damn good guess… if I didn't know any better, I'd say you have extra info on me!"

If shedidn'tknow any better. Ahead of them, Paimon shot a glare over her shoulder, echoing Childe's exact thoughts. Lumine was far too trusting, so much so that it was worrying. He wondered what would happen ifhewere not the Harbinger in Liyue, if it was Scaramouche or Dottore. She'd most likely be six feet under by this time. Which, obviously, would be far easier for him if that had happened.

That was an idea, a possibility,an option.As much as he disliked killing those who don't deserve it, especially those who could help him grow stronger, there were times it was simply necessary.

Perhaps, one day, it would come to that point with Lumine.

"You know," the traveler interrupted his thoughts with a sudden sigh, "you're pretty depressing. It really bums me out that you don't have any friends."

From the corner of his eye, he saw Paimon freeze mid-float, and whip around to face their conversation with wide eyes. Ignoring the fairy, he put his hands on his hips and smiled, "Sorry to bum you out, it's not like I mean to."

"Lumi…" a warning, "don't do what Paimon thinks you're about to do…"

Whatever it was continued to go promptly ignored. Lumine mirrored his stance and took a step towards him, lifting her face to meet his eyes and grin. She smelled of lavender.

"I'llbe your friend."

Paimon was on her in an instance. Hair was pulled and ears pinched. A squeal escaped the traveler as she attempted to fight the imp off her head, "Paimon told you to stop being so trusting! What did Paimon say?"

Childe could not stop smiling. Her words did not come as a surprise, she was so incredibly predictable, yet they still had their desired effect. He threw his head back and laughed as Paimon assaulted her, "You should listen to Paimon."

"No!" That seemed to be her favorite word, now yelled amidst certain chaos buzzing around her head, "If he wanted to kill me, he would've done it by now!" Grabbing ahold of Paimon, she held her little body still in her hands, "Just look at him. He's pitiful, he needs a friend like me."

She looked. Childe raised a hand in greeting. Whipping back to face Lumine, she whispered, "Heiskind of pitiful…"

"Look how lonely he is… how sad…"

"Yeah Mister sewer troll is kind of… depressing, in a way."

"I can hear you both."

Lumine put a hand to her mouth to cover her smile, though her eyes shined with unconcealed amusement, "Hm, I bet what the adepti said to him were all insults. Like, when I was away and they spoke to him," she shared a grin with Paimon, "they probably told him how much of a loser he is."

"Ooh," the fairy nearly fell backwards from laughter, "they were probably like 'hey loser you smell like mold and you're moist all the time!'"

He was not moist all the time. Neither of them chose to believe him.

Despite the laughter at his expense, he could not help but join in. He was the middle child of his family, the olderandthe younger one, Ajax was no stranger to teasing. Lumine's attention warmed over him like a campfire in a blizzard. Partly from the sound of her laugh and the shine in her eyes, and partly from the knowledge of what the adepti truly said.

It was funny, almost, how wrong she was. This woman had no idea of her future, of her stars and whose they connected to.

Childe could not help it any longer. Sighing, he summoned his bow and pointed the end at her, making her freeze in place with wide eyes, "Spar with me, won't you?"

Her sword was in her hand before he could take another breath. His heart skipped a beat, Paimon rolled her eyes, and Lumine took a fighting stance, "You're on, loser."

He had to do something about those wasps in his stomach, and the way her smile squeezed every inch of air out of him. He had to do something to stop this nonsense in it's path, and to never think of it again.

Huffman was his only hope.

Chapter 5: Huffman & Lumine

Chapter Text

"So, the last adepti is at the Wangshu inn… huh, I didn't think adepti would want room service." Lumine laughed at herself, "I wonder why he can't have his own place, did he get kicked out? Couldn't pay rent?"

"It must be that." Childe nodded along, "It's rather difficult to be poor, isn't it?"

"Oh, shut up."

Another laugh, one of the hundreds they shared that night. Lumine was far too easy to be with - if one could look past the wall of pride and determination surrounding her at all times. Fortunately, Childealsohad a wall of pride and determination surrounding him. The resulting effect of their company on each other ended with both walls cancelling out, and a weird sense of comfort laying over them like warm blankets in front of a fire.

Lumine walked ahead of him down the road. As she crossed over a bridge, she pulled herself up on the side and balanced on the thin railing. She stretched out her arms like a child, "This has been fun, thanks for not stabbing me in the back yet."

He laughed, "Metaphorically, or physically?"

"Physically," her balance tottered as she glanced over her shoulder at him, "I'm not sure about metaphorically yet. I may be comfortable with you, but that does not change your occupation."

This woman was a bundle of mysteries. He took her hand to give her more balance on the railing, his glove unable to smother out the warmth from her fingers. She stared down at her feet and smiled as she took another wobbly step across the handrails, using him as her leverage. "You're very wise to remember that, but wearecomrades. now"

"I'm friends with everybody," she frowned at her feet, "but that doesn't mean the entire world knows everything about me."

And it did not mean justanyonecould get through the walls she built, not even him. He was observant enough to tell that she had not broken them down yet, even if shehadshown him her super secret sword tricks - which were as impressive as they sounded. Even with the layer of comfort surrounding them, both of their guards remained up.

Still holding his hand, she stretched out her leg and wobbled forth on the railing. He felt as if he was escorting an old woman across the street, an old woman who snickered and smirked down at him, "I'm taller than you right now."

"Not for long."

"Don't you da-"

Childe wasn't sure what he was doing. Perhaps it was some sort of embarrassing big brother mentality, or perhaps he found a new hobby in disputing everything Lumine said. Nonetheless, he wrapped his arms around her waist and picked up from the railing, twirling her around against his chest. She buried her face into his shoulder and bit down through the material of his jacket, her hands gripping his arms. She was like a dog, just a bit of roughhousing earns her teeth to his skin. She truly was feral.

Laughing, he set her down and she stumbled away dizzily. The frown on her face held no true anger, despite her attempts to glare murderously. "Y-You shouldn't just grab people, I could have easily killed you just then!"

He steadied her, "A true warrior must always be prepared for a surprise attack."

"True warrior my ass!" She hit his shoulder and huffed, "You're just jealous that I was taller for a minute!"

"Hm… A true warrior never gets jealous."

"You're annoying!"

"Did you..." he glanced at his shoulder, "did you try to bite me again?"

She did. He hated doing laundry, it was such a tedious chore. And Lumine really dug her teeth in. She grinned and brushed past him, "That was a warning, next time I'll stab you."

Childe could not help but believe it. Shaking his head, smiling, he followed after her towards the Wangshu inn. The sun had been stolen away by night, and the world was quickly turning into a calm dark blue. It was amazing to him how the evenings in Liyue looked. In Sneznhaya the night was pitch black, inky and thick with something suited him well, he thought. He would not be there for a very long time, but he would enjoy what little he did in the region of geo, even if the air was a bit too warm for his tastes. The food was good, the city was fun and lively, and the people were polite. And it had the Oceanid - headoredthe Oceanid.

Childe and Lumine walked through the receiving area of the inn, heading to the elevator to await it's arrival. As it lowered, he took a step back, the sound of his movement catching her attention. She looked at him with curious eyes, tilting her head, "Don't tell me you're stabbing me now, of all times?"

"No," he put up a surrendering hand, "not at all. But I can't go any further with you."

She nearly pouted, catching herself last minute and masking her expression with blankness, "Okay, I do appreciate your help, though. I think the adepti all liked you more than me."

The adepti simply wanted to push his buttons and bully him into realizing something he desperately wished hedidn'tknow. He wouldn't consider that liking him. "No problem, Lumi, I'm happy to have helped. Just tell me about the fourth adeptus when I get back."

"Where are you going?" She ignored the elevator as it touched down for a minute, now facing him fully with curious eyes.

He could not possibly tell her 'hey I'm going to Mondstadt to convince Huffman to wife you'. She'd cut out his tongue and feed it to dogs for even thinking such an idea. He faked a smile and stuffed his hands into his pockets, trying to look casual, "Nowhere special, just a Fatui thing."

"Just a Fatui thing..." she narrowed her eyes, though without Paimon floating at her shoulder the effect was far less suspicious-looking, and more so like she needed glasses. Paimon acted as her distrusting side, without the pixie the threat in her words had trouble coming to fruition. "Am I allowed to ask?"

"Nope! Not unless…"

Now she trulydidneed Paimon. She had gone ahead about an hour ago to zip back to Wangshu inn and order all the food she could get. She seemed to trust Childe enough to leave him alone with Lumine. He found that sweet, in a way, even if it was dumb. Lumine attempted to look even more suspicious with her hands on her hips and her lips twisted thoughtfully, "Unless what?"

"Unless…" a pause for anticipation, "...you tell me why you were looking to meet the Geo archon in the first place."

Her brows furrowed as if she was confused that he would even ask such a simple question. "Oh, well… I mainly wanted to warn Rex Lapis about his gnosis being stolen like Venti's."

"And that's all?"

"No," another sigh as she turned towards the elevator, "but you haven't unlocked backstory privileges yet."

He slid up to lean against the railing beside her, "And how do I do that?"

"You won't."

"I bet I will."

"I bet you won't."

Lumine had a habit of being wrong about the simplest of things. He did not needherto tell him why she wanted to meet the archon, he had spies who were perfectly suited for finding that information - his polite question had simply been one option for her. Sighing, he pushed off the railing as she stepped into the elevator, "I'll be back in a few days. Meet me in Liyue harbor, and we'll try to figure out how to get you to see Rex Lapis."

"You're sweet," she smiled sardonically, "whatever would I do without you?"

"Oh, you'll survive somehow."

She would have no other choice watched the scenery pass her by as the elevator lifted. Childe was left behind below, watching her ascent with a smile she could not read. It was a rare moment that Lumine was okay with being high up, if there was a wall between her and the long fall down.

She stepped off and made her way to the boss behind the counter. Paimon's shouting could be heard from the kitchens below where Xiangling temporarily cooked. If she and Childe were parting ways, she would ask Xiangling to go back to Liyue with her and make sure she did not get lost along the road. She certainly would irritate her less than Childe.

Sighing, she approached the counter and scratched the cat, making small talk until she could finally bring up the subject of the adeptus. Her mind lingered on the Harbinger, what he might be doing, and what his intentions were.

But he was helping her, at least, and that was all she could ask for. She would accept even the Fatui's help for finding Aether and dispersing the brewing storm in Teyvat. She would do whatever it took.

Childe wasnotlooking forward to meeting Huffman.

The journey to Mondstadt took three days on foot, even with the necessary shortcuts and the lack of battalions to feed. He found, though, that the journey alone might have been exactly what he needed to clear his mind. It was as if with every mile he drew closer to Mondstadt, a window had opened just a crack more, letting the smoke out of the room. He could think clearly, he knew what the future lay in store clearly, and he knew who he wasveryclearly.

Tartaglia, 11th of the Fatui Harbingers, was going to get this job over with and forget about Lumine forever. It did not matter if they were becoming comrades, friends in arms, or even the slightest bit comfortable with each other. He was not a terribly sentimental man when it came to matters other than his family, and he could easily let go of the doe-eyed, blonde woman who stomped her way into his life.

This was all for work. He reminded himself as he traveled: this is all for work. He would find Huffman, somehow convince him to go to Liyue, Huffman would take Lumine to Mondstadt, and then Childe could figure out the nonsense going on with Rex Lapis in peace.

He would need a vacation after this. Perhaps a trip out to sea for a while, he'd always enjoyed the feeling of the freezing Sneznhayan water on his cheeks.

The country of wine and dandelions lived up to it's name. He had visited it once before on a mission, but never spent much time there. It was far more flat, with the mountains being more of a backdrop than a true feature of the land. With rolling plains and a lake that gleamed blue in the afternoon sun, he found himself craving the famous dandelion wine. Perhaps he and Huffman would hit it off and share a bottle, if he was so wonderfully interesting as Lumine described him to be.

Childe traveled through Wolvendome, past Dawn Winery where he spent the night, and arrived in Mondstadt late in the evening of the next day. It was positively quaint compared to Liyue's bustle, with nearly empty streets by 11 p.m. and hardly any vendors still open for the day. The guards cast him suspicious glances as he passed by, but he ignored any eyes lingering on the delusion pinned to his chest.

He caught a knight of Favonius passing by for a late evening patrol. "Excuse me," a brilliant smile laced thickly with saccharine friendliness, "Could you tell me where the Goth hotel is?"

The knight was a big bellied man with blonde hair. He grimaced, looking him up and down for a moment before muttering, "Right. More Fatui, that's exactly what we need… Okay," he sighed heavily, "go up the stairs to the third level, and it's to the East. You'll see some of your kind up there."

"Thanks," he set a small pouch of coins in his hands, "your diplomacy and cooperation are much appreciated."

The knight attempted tonotlook pleased by the bribe, "Yeah, whatever…"

The third level, higher up in town, towards the East. He knew where to avoid now if he wanted to bypass having to explain his reasons for being in Mondstadt to Pantalone. He wasn't quite in the mood to deal with his coworkers.

Childe walked as if he owned the streets. He took the steps two at a time, not sparing a glance to the man searching for coin in the fountain, or the drunkard sitting at a restaurant table. Down an alley on his right laughter and music reached his ears, illuminated by the golden glow of lights. It had to be a bar, most likely the only place open for the night owls of Mondstadt. Sticking close to the wall, he made his way to the light like a moth to a flame. A tavern open after dark, it had to be the most patrolled part of the city by the knights of Favonius.

Chairs and tables were scattered about the front. Several glares were directed to the Snezhnayan style of his clothes, the vision at his belt and the delusion on his chest. It was not very well hidden, who or what he was associated with. Diplomacy and trust was far more cared about in Mondstadt than in Liyue. They had little interest in contacts and gain, but rather how the Fatui made themfeel. Which was terrified, obviously. He smiled in return as warmly as he possibly could.

It would be just his luck that Huffman slept at night and did patrols in the mornings. He'd have no choice but to either camp out, or to visit Pantalone for a room. He despised the latter option, any opportunity to be away from the other Harbingers was a good thing for him.

Taking a seat towards the corner, he crossed his leg over his knee and tapped his fingers on the table. Several of the patrons shifted their bodies away from him, continuing to go ignored as he kept his eye out for a had said, very specifically, that Huffman had eyes like warm chocolate chip cookies on a Sunday. The only problem was that he wasn't sure what those looked like - perhaps she meant they were delicious, which was a whole other category of weird he would not have expected from the traveler.

A knight walked by who was rather short, and very blond. Not Huffman. Another knight patrolled the area, but he was far too old for Lumine - not that he'd judge her if she was into older men. Sighing, he rested his cheek in his palm and closed his journey had tired him out, but not enough to go to Pantalone for a room. He needed to be back in Liyue soon, preferably with Huffman not far behind.

The sound of approaching boots caught his attention, coming closer, and closer through the quiet street until a wall of dark clothes stood at his table. Childe sat up and smiled to inspect the newcomer. Brown-ish eyes. They weren't what he'd call warm chocolate cookies, but theywerebrown. And his hair was nice, long and bushy and thick. He looked like the kind of man women might call 'handsome'.

"Huffman?"

The glare on his face squeezed even tighter. He narrowed his eyes, lips turning down into a mildly disgusted scowl. "Diluc."

Childe's high hopes dropped to the ground. He slumped, resting his cheek in his palm again, "I see. Well, if you ever become Huffman, give me a call."

"You're a Harbinger."

It wasn't a question. Childe resisted the urge to be snarky, "I am, the 11th. Tartaglia," he offered a hand that went unshook, "or Childe, if you prefer. And you…"

Andhelooked like the kind of guy Childe would happily leave Lumine with. He might keep her feral-ness at bay, and judging by the glare he wore he would keep her far away from any Fatuu. That was exactly what Childe needed, someone to babysit his soulmate while he tended to far more important matters.

He finished with a friendly smile, and pulled his hand away, "Andyoulook really angry. Did I take your seat? Sorry about that."

Childe made no move to get up. Diluc did not either, standing over the table and crossing his arms with a glare that could kill. A pyro vision hung from his belt. Childe could almost feel the heat coming off him in waves.

Perhaps it was nature, the way of the universe and the flow of the world. Perhaps it was the simple fact that water and fire could not coexist. Historically, hydro users and pyro users didnotget along. In Childe's experience, the battles between them were not even fun to attempt. It would be like a sauna with the massive amounts of vapor created from fighting a good pyro user.

Diluc sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, "Listen. We don't need another one of you here, Pantalone's already got the whole city on edge. I don't know what you're planning-"

"Huffman," Childe interrupted, impatient and having heard this speech far too many times in his line of work, "I'm looking for a knight of Favonius named Huffman. Once I talk to him, I'll leave. Trust me, this isn't related to- well, it isn'tdirectlyrelated to the Fatui."

Diluc stared at him in angry bewilderment. Tilting his head, the tensity in his shoulders grew, "Why do you want to speak to him? I'm no fan of the knights, but I dislike the Fatui even more."

"Join the club," he leaned back in his chair lazily, "I'm doing a favor for someone, my friend Lumine. You might know her-"

There was no chance to finish the explanation, Diluc was into action immediately. Gasps and screams erupted into the air as he summoned his claymore and held it to Childe's neck, eyes furious. Patrons scrambled away in fear, while the Harbinger merely stared.

His blood began to boil with excitement. His muscles tensed. His heart raced. Diluc was fast for using a two-handed sword, but Childe knew that he was faster. He dug his fingers into his palm in a weak attempt to hold himself back from what every cell in his body urged him to do. He could not fight Diluc just yet.

With the tip of the blade at his neck, he sat back comfortably, looking unbothered. "Something wrong?"

Diluc was nearly growling, "What have you done with Lumine?"

"Absolutely nothing, thank goodness. Except speak to her, if that counts."

The tip dug further into his skin. His heart raced in his ears, and he could not help the smile blooming onto his lips. Diluc's glare deepened as he ignored the yells of a knight calling for back up behind him, "What's your motive with her?"

Once again, absolutely nothing, nothing that would hurt her at least. He put his hands up, smiling, "I'm trying to find Huffman so he'll date her, then that'll keep her out of Fatui business in Liyue."

A pregnant pause. Diluc's eyes widened. He blinked once, then again. His lips dropped into a confused frown, rather than a murderous scowl."You're telling the truth, aren't you?"

He was. His eyes did not flicker around even alittlebit. "Plus, she's my friend. Can't I do something nice for a friend?"

He pulled the sword back and let it disappear into thin air, "Why do you keep saying she's your friend?"

"Because she is," Childe shrugged nonchalantly, "she told me just a few days ago that she was my friend, and that I was stuck with her forever."

The sudden groan caught him by surprise. Diluc buried his face into his hand and scowled, shoulders slumping and eyes shut closed. He looked, andsounded, like an older brother bemoaning the mistakes of his little sister. Childe knew that face. He wore the same expression every time Tonia announced she had a new boyfriend.

"I keep telling her… Dammit," he was muttering under his breath, "I keep telling her to stop trying to make friends with everybody she meets."

"I think it's charming," Childe retorted, "but ultimately, a distraction for our little job in Liyue. If I could just get this Huffman fellow to keep her busy for a while…"

"Why? So you can destroy millions of lives?"

Not exactly. No lives were to be taken in this plan, if everything worked out well. The city of Liyue might even prosper afterwards. "No, so that she'll leave me alone so I can take a vacation in a monster filled ruin."

"Sounds fun," his tone was laced with sarcasm, unamused at the cheeky Harbinger sitting at his table, "you'll have to find Huffman on your own, though, I refuse to help your kind."

"Understandable. He's probably already on his way," Childe peered around his body to catch the night guards running through the alleys, "with you pulling out your sword, and all. Thanks for that."

The glare returned, "If I hear of you and your kind hurting Lumine in any way, Iwillhunt you down."

"Why? Are you in love with her?"

"Not in the least," he offered a humorless laugh, "but I know that she's far more scared of this world than she lets on."

Childe narrowed his eyes as the lust for battle returned. His muscles tensed and his fingers dug into his arms, desperate to lunge at something worthy of a fight. His knee bounced with energy as he tried to subtly exhale the feeling away, "Lumi doesn't need you to be her white knight."

"She doesn't needyoueither," it was another threat, with narrowed eyes and tense hands. Childe's lips parted in surprise as Diluc went on, "Everytime you mention Huffman, you look angry. Care to share why?"

Dammit. "...Not in the least."

A hesitant group of knights gathered behind Diluc. He ignored their presence and took a step back, letting a tense silence fill the air between them. Childe's eyes met his in an unwavering glare. He hadn't wanted to fight this bad in ages.

"Once you're done with your business here, get out of Mondstadt and don't come back."

"Fine," he retorted almost casually, "it's a deal. If I do come back, though, I expect a good fight out of it."

It was a shame that he didn't have time then. Another spark of anger flashed between the men, a confrontation inching so close that he could almost smell it. The invisible idea of Lumine was the only thing keeping their hands from summoning their swords. Diluc and Childe both knew: Lumine would wipe the floor with their asses if they tried to kill each other.

That almost sounded fun. He was tempted to start a fight just for the sake of seeing Lumine angry.

Stiffly, Diluc turned and walked back into his tavern. The customers sitting outside had cleared by now, leaving Childe alone with the group of nervous knights. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair as the lust for battle in his chest began to calm.

The only knight that did not hesitate to meet his eyes stepped up. He was tall, brown hair and brown eyes, wearing his armor with pride, like Childe wore his delusion. On anybody else, his posture and the lift of his chin would look arrogant, but this man simply lookedknightly. There was no other way to describe it.

"Is there a problem here?"

Childe gestured to the door Diluc just slammed, "Ask him, he's the local."

He furrowed his brows for a moment, "Master Diluc should not take these things into his own hands. I see you are a Fatuu," his voice held no malice, just blank observance, "but we've not met before. It is an honor," he bowed shortly, "I am Huffman, a knight of Favon-"

Childe was out of his seat in an instant. He grabbed him by his shoulders, cutting off his introduction with wide eyes and an excited gasp. "You're Huffman?"

"Y-Yes, I don't underst-"

"You're…" he took a closer look, "You'reHuffman?"

"Y-Yes?"

This man was positively boring.

His hair was perfectly put into place, perfectly sculpted onto his perfectly chiseled face. His eyeswerewarm like chocolate chip cookies, but they held nothing of interest. He was of average height, average build, and was, generally, a good looking man with a stable job.

Which was perfectly fine foranyotherwoman. But this wasLumine.

Lumine, who stole his dagger and snuck into his office at night. Lumine, who sparred with him so fervently that she glowed like an angel with a weapon in her hands. Lumine, who stepped on the necks of hilichurls and punched cryo mages in the face.

And Huffman. Huffman?Huffman. Childe could not sayanythingabout the man.

Perhaps he was more interesting once one got to know him. Sitting down, Childe pulled out the chair across from him, "Sit, please, we've got many things to discuss."

Bewildered and mildly offended, Huffman simply glanced over his shoulder at the group of knights following him, "It'll be fine, return to your posts please." With a myriad of glares and concerned gazes, the knights dispersed their separate ways. Huffman sat down as if he was afraid the chair would explode. "What is it? If you wish to speak to the acting Grandmaster, then I'm sure there's a much better way to-"

"No, I'm here to see you," he leaned back into his chair, "What's it take to get a waiter out here? Let's get some drinks."

"I-I really shouldn't drink on the job."

Childe ignored him and twisted around to look into the window, waving down a terrified looking waitress who caught his eye behind the counter. Frantically, she wiped her hands on her apron and rushed to the door. He sighed and looked back to Huffman, "It's my treat, no worries."

"May I ask..." he glanced at the waitress coming out the door as if he was lost as to what was happening, "what would you want to talk tomeabout?"

"You're humble, that's good. Yes," he rested his arms on the table, "two firewaters, please. Do you have lemon juice? Put some lemon juice in mine, thanks."

Huffman frowned, "That sounds… absolutely disgusting."

"It's an acquired taste," he informed as the tittering waitress scurried away. Once the door shut behind her and they were alone, he leaned in with his elbow on the table, and his eyes wide, "So, I'm a friend of Lumine's."

"...I'm sorry, who?"

The nerve of this man. The nerve of such a boring guy, to question whoLuminewas. Childe resisted the urge to glare, "Lumine, the honorary knight of Favonius. The one who stopped the Stormterror thing."

"Oh," he lit up in realization, "Yes, I know her. I didn't think she had such… interesting friends."

"She's friends with everything, you know. But her heart," he put a hand on his chest and smiled, "that only belongs to one man."

An oblivious pause. The sound of the tavern inside drowned out the noise from the summer crickets. Huffman blinked, and stared, and tilted his head in confusion.

Childe felt as if he was constantly surrounded by oblivious people. First Lumine, then this man. That Zhongli fellow he was to meet with next week might be the worst of them all.

"You, Huffman. It'syou."

"Oh," his eyes widened in shock, "Her heart belongs to me?"

Childe could have melted from sheer annoyance at the audacity of this man. "Yes, and she really needs your help in Liyue right now. She's having a hard time, and having you there would make it so much easier."

"I'm afraid I don't understand-"

"You need to date Lumine."

"What?"

The front door swung open with the waitress coming through, her hands full with a tray of drinks. She stopped at their table and set down two glasses of clear liquid, Childe's with half a lemon on the side. He ignored Huffman's asinine bewilderment and began to doctor the glass with the lemon slice, "I need you to travel to Liyue and take Lumine on a date. She'd be thrilled, for one, andsecondlyshe would stay out of trouble withyouat her side."

"I…" Huffman put his hand in his hair and leaned on the table, "I'm really confused. I can hardly remember what the honorary knight even looks like."

Like an angel come down from Celestia to bless humanity with the honor of looking upon her. It wasn'tthathard."Just give it a try, won't you?"

"I…"

"Huffman," Childe attempted to look serious, with furrowed brows and a disapproving frown, "I did not think the knights of Favonius were so… honor-less. I was told in my reports from the agents here that you were all kind and chivalrous, spotless to fault! I can't believe what I'm hearing right now…"

"We're already short staffed here as it is… I can't just leave and go to Liyue…"

Of course he could, Childe would pay for his lost wages and the journey there. He sighed, taking a sip of the firewater and sitting back, "Fine, I guess she'll just have to die alone, then…"

"...Die alone?"

He hated this part. It was no secret that he was not the best at manipulation, no matter how much the other Harbingers tried to train him. One could not teach a warrior the art of thievery. He sighed and allowed the sting of the firewater to loosen his tongue, "Yes. She's sick, you know. She caught a terrible disease, and all she wanted was to see the man she fell in love with before she died…"

"...She fell in love with me?"

"Desperately."

"I never knew…" he thought for a moment, "I suppose I can take a week or so off."

Perfect.

Childe downed the rest of his drink and stood, pushing the chair away with the ugly noise of it's legs scraping on the ground. He stepped back and fished a few gold mora from his pocket, "Great, meet me in Liyue, I'll have my agents keep an eye out for you when you arrive."

He scrambled to stand, "Will the hero of Mondstadt be okay until then?"

"Oh, she'll survive. She justreallywants to see you."

"I-I'll try my best to be there!"

"I believe in you, Hufflmon."

"It's Huffman, sir…"

"Right. Are you going to drink that?"

"Uh…"

"You shouldn't let things go to waste," he reached for the drink and grinned, "you never know when the opportunity to change your future might crop up, Hoffmen. This trip to Liyue will be a wonderful thing."

He sighed heavily, "I just hope the traveler is okay."

"Oh, shewillbe."

Huffman proceeded to take a week or so off, and set out on his journey a day after Childe left Mondstadt. He was not only completely average, but also incredibly oblivious. Somehow, he did not notice the Fatui agents tracking him throughout the region.

The day for Huffman's arrival finally came. Childe had only gotten back into Liyue a day earlier, and was settled into his office when Ekaterina handed him the report from his trackers. Huffman was nearing, and the time was nigh. "And Lumine?"

The receptionist bobbed on her heels anxiously, "We've been keeping an eye on the traveler…"

"What's she been doing all week?"

"Well," an amused sigh, "she arrived back about five days ago, and has begun what the pixie calls 'a food tour'. Our spies have been watching her move about Liyue, and preventing her from going too far."

He raised a brow, "How so?" Hardly anything could prevent Lumine from doing what she wanted.

"Oh, just a few hunters and agents following her around… They don't do anything lethal, of course. They've just been scaring her into going back into the harbor."

Probably threatening to throw her off mountains, or to pay for her meals, something terrifying like that. He put his feet up on the desk and leaned back into his chair, satisfied with the work done. Everything was beginning to fall into place, "Wonderful. And what has she been doing around town in my absence?"

Ekaterina shuffled in place. She put her face down, clearing her throat awkwardly. "Well, sir… regular things for a lady of her age, I suppose."

It was almost comical how he had no idea what women did with their time. "And that is?"

"For one, she boarded the Pearl Galley without permission, was kicked off, then boarded it again. After that, she left the boat very upset about something called the 'exploitation of women's bodies' and 'illegal boat sex'."

Sounds like a normal afternoon. Sighing, he went on, "Is that all she did?"

"No, sir. She commissioned help for some missing person posters, and has been cooking at the Wanmin restaurant with the chef there. Just yesterday," her cheeks turned pink, "w-we actually went out for drinks... She can really throw 'em back, sir."

Childe tensed and sat up straight, shocked, "You got drinks with the traveler?"

"She's okay once you get to know her," Ekaterina put her hands up in defense, "I apologize if I was not supposed to do that, b-but she insisted! It was me, and her, and a few other receptionists. We didn't go in uniform, of course, if that's what you're worried about…"

He was not worried, he was angry. He traveled all the way to Mondstadt to find Huffman to cure the future laid out before him, and there were his recruits befriending her. Diluc's words from days ago echoed in his mind:"I keep telling her to stop trying to make friends with everybody she meets."

That was a problem.

Sighing, he ran his hands through his hair and closed his eyes, "Did she at least tell you anything of interest on your girls night out?"

"No," she thought for a moment, "Except about your journey together, it sounds like it was very fun, Master Childe."

It was. He slumped forward in his chair and rested his forehead on the desk, "That's all, Ekaterina. Thank you."

"Of course, Master Childe. I'm… I'm very happy for you, she's a wonderful woman."

He needed to fight something. Sodesperately, he needed to get these problems out of his mind and just kill something. Ekaterina left with a sly smile and a romantic gleam in her eye, her beliefs in the entire starmate ordeal most likely bolstered. He had entirely failed at convincing his staff that the old lady was wrong.

He even failed at convincing himself. That was how much of a failure he was.

Sighing, Childe stood from his chair and left the room. There was a festival in the street below, the remnants of a wedding parade that just passed through. He left the bank to get some air and blend in with the crowd as another nameless face in the sea. Liyue could be stuffy, but it knew how to bustle, how to hide people.

He leaned against a wall and watched everybody pass. The couple of the hour had already left for the tea ceremony, but the remaining guests enjoyed themselves in the street. A lively band followed passersby with dizis and pipas in hand, playing music for all to hear. Past the crowd, Childe caught several merchants complaining about the lack of customers during the festivities.

A flash of blonde, a glimmer of a white dress. Her fingers were outstretched as she twirled, falling into the arms of Xiangling with a laugh that could melt the iciest of hearts. Childe locked his eyes onto her, and watched through the twirled again, and stumbled forward. Xiangling caught her by the wrist once more while Lumine complained. He could not hear what they said, but he saw the gleam in her eyes, the smile on her lips. She was happy, having fun.

And she would have evenmorefun tomorrow when Huffman arrived. He could finally get her out of the way, change his future, and put this entire ordeal to rest. Perhaps he'd spar with her every once in a while, but she would most certainlynotbe his soulmate any longer.

If only she did not freeze him in place with those annoyingly big doe-eyes.

Lumine spotted him. She stiffened, mid-stumble, hunched over for a moment before whipping her head back up to stare at him through the crowd. Her lips broke into a wide grin, "Childe!"

It was made worse by her pointing at him across the street. Heads turned in her direction as a result of the yell. Her cheeks went pink from the sudden attention, and she put her face down as she slipped through the crowd to approach him. Xiangling had gotten into an argument with a merchant over the quality of his food, while Paimon was nowhere to be seen.

"Excuse me," she brushed past another man, ducking under a woman's arm, and shoving her body between two others. Finally, she popped out from the tight group of people to stand in front of him, fingers flexed as she rocked on her heels, "Hello. How was your quest?"

His quest? As if he was slaying a dragon and saving princesses. He laughed, "It was fine, how was the last adepti?"

"Mean," she wrinkled her nose, "but much cuter than you, I could actually look him in the eyes without hurting my neck."

"Oh, I'm so glad you hit it off." He could not help but grin. Her nose was red, her cheeks were red, her hair was sticking up in every direction. "Say, Lumi, are you drunk?"

"Hmm… Yes. Incredibly so."

"...I see. That's not very safe, you know."

"I know," she took the spot at his side and sighed dramatically, falling against his arm as if the street was her theater, and he was her prop to lay on, "I was drinking because of you. I thought you had left me forever."

His heart skipped a beat, annoyingly so. "You werethatsad?"

"No," she smiled up at him, "Not at all, I was celebrating your departure."

"Ah, that's what I thought."

"You think you know everything, don't you?"

She was not amess, per say, but more so a pile of discarded laundry on the floor. She was crumpled and a bit odd, tired, exhausted, but something familiar nonetheless. He could almost laugh at the poetry entering his mind when she looked up at him. He'd always been a descriptive man, but never when it came to women. Lumine shone a light on sides of his mind he was not aware existed.

And he didnotknow everything, he would admit that. "Why do you say that?"

Her hands gripped his arm, her head still resting on him. She let out a soft sigh as she stared at the passing festivities, "Youthinkwe can't be friends, but we can."

His heart in his throat, her warm hands on his arm. He sighed and closed his eyes, letting the wall behind his back cool him off, "I never said we couldn't be friends. Where'd you get that idea?"

"I see it in your eyes! Paimon warned me," she gasped and squeezed his arm, "she said that you act weird around me, and I think it's because you hate me."

How little she knew.

Childe could not help his laugh. He put his hand over his mouth, stifling the bubble of laughter that threatened to spill out. Lumine's murderous glare only proved to inflame the tickle of humor in his throat. How little she knew. How oblivious could she possibly be?

"Oh gosh," finally, he let out a sharp laugh, "I brought you a present back from my journey, and this is how you treat me? You wound me, printsessa, you really do."

He felt her fingers dig deeper into his arm, now more so giving him a twisted burn rather than holding onto him. She pulled back, eyes wide and lips parted. "What'd you get me? You know you don't have to do that kind of stuff."

There was a feeling Childe got when he sent gifts home to Teucer. That warmth in his stomach when he received thank you letters, that excitement at knowing there was a boat full of toys heading his sibling's way. His mother had always told him that it was kinder to give, than to receive. He liked to think himself a generous man, he had traveled all the way to Mondstadt just for this feral woman who was supposed to be his enemy.

Of course it was for extremely selfish reasons, but it was still a gift. "I know I don'thaveto."

"But?"

He blinked in surprise, "But?"

"But," she giggled, "why did you do it? Not that I'm not appreciative, but you don't have to do anything like that."

The look on her face brought another bubble of laughter up his throat. He covered his smile with his hand, "I know, Lumi, but I just wanted to. I have my reasons."

"Selfish ones, I assume?"

"Incredibly so."

"Right," her gaze flattened with a joking sigh, "Well, then if you're being selfish in this weird way, you'll have to be incrediblyunselfishto make up for it."

He could hardly believe what was happening. Lumine, the hero of Mondstadt and overall ray of slightly manic sunshine, was trying to be the 11th Harbinger's friend. She was determined, if not naive. He could respect a woman who knew what she wanted, even if it was something as unwise as his had to give in. Childe could not resist the urge, he'd hate to miss whatever went on in her mind. "How would you like me to do that?"

"I want…" a grin, a sparkle in her eye. She stepped back from his arm and offered her hand, an upturned palm full of promises, "a dance."

A dance. She wanted to dance. The street band had moved up a block, barely heard from their spot in the crowd. The sound of laughter and joy reached his ears, a sound he did not think the locals would approve of him being a part of. Especially with her, this woman accused of murdering their god.

It was kind of funny, actually. An interesting thought.

Still, nothing about it made sense. "You could ask any other man here to dance, and you'd never be rejected. Why me?"

"Because we're friends!"

"What if I can't dance?"

"I'll teach you!"

"What if-"

"Stop," she took his hands and grinned, intertwining her fingers with his. They fit like pieces of a puzzle, perfectly sized for each other. "Just dance with me, it's an honor, you know. Consider it a thank you for getting me a gift."

A thank you for the gift. The only thank you he wanted was her getting out of his way of the gnosis. "How is forcing me to dance a thank you?"

"It is," she nodded heavily, "youknowit is, because I am a wonderful dancer, and it is an honor."

Another compensation, another laugh at her expense. "I don't think I believe you, printsessa."

"You're just saying that becauseyoudon't know how to dance, is that right?"

"I know how to dance."

"I don't believe you, Harbinger."

"I give you such cute nicknames, and you don't even try for me."

"That's not true, I called you a loser last week."

"My point has been proven."

"Just dance with me, loser."

As the lady wanted, he would deliver. With both hands on her waist, he picked her up and twirled her in the air above his head. She squealed in surprise and leaned her hands on his shoulders. The street festival moved further away, leaving him more room to set her down and take her hands, breaking into a simple waltz. To the left, then to the right, one hand on her hip, the other with his fingers entangled with hers. Lumine stared down at her feet with wide eyes as she tried to keep up with his pace.

And perhaps Childe was being cruel. Perhaps he was showing off, moving with such grace through the street as she struggled to move along. His mother had taught him how to waltz long ago, hand in hand, and smooth as butter.

Soon enough, Lumine began to understand the pattern, she was intelligent like that. She grinned up at him, making another wave of warmth pass over his body. He returned the smile as his feet slowed to the muffled music a block away.

"You know," a murmur under his breath, the scent of lavender from her shampoo, he wanted to be stuck there just for a moment more, no matter how dangerous it was, "I'm doing this as a last hurrah before your gift gets here tomorrow."

Lumine blinked in confusion. She raised a brow, her cheeks tinted pink, "What kind of gift makes it so I can't dance in the street with you?"

"The best kind, girlie," he took a step back and twirled her, then steadied her with a soft hand on her hip, "you'll love it."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure," another chuckle as the pace of the waltz slowed, and their chests moved closer together. He could feel her hot breath on his neck as she stared up at him, forcing him to avoid her eyes, "Now, it's getting late. Where're you staying?"

Lumine's voice was a light whisper underneath the festivities down the street, "In a camp right outside of town."

Of course she was. "How about I get you a hotel room?"

"No way."

Another twirl, slower this time, more reverent. She pressed her body against his and laid her head on his shoulder, while he slid his hand to the small of her back. She was warm, and she fit so perfectly against him, as if molded from clay for each other. He sighed and attempted to ignore the obvious, "You'll want to be well rested and refreshed for tomorrow."

"There's a cold lake stream nearby I can bathe in."

"Please let me set you up in a hotel?"

"No."

"Stop being stubborn, Lumine."

With her head over his shoulder, she glared at the wall. Her fingers dug into his hand in mild irritation, "I'll never stop."

He believed it. "Okay, sure, sleep outside… But I think it might rain tonight."

Lumine's head perked up, "Rain?"

"Yeah… there might be some rock slides from the mountains…"

"Oh…"

"And the hotel has this really nice room available…"

She pulled back to rest her hands on his shoulders. With the golden lights of the evening, she was illuminated. She smiled, tilted her head, and stole every last breath from his lungs with one small expression.

This woman was far too powerful. She needed to be neutralized.

"I'll let you, just for this night, for Paimon's sake."

How he adored winning.

"Good girl," he tucked up her chin before pulling away and holding her hand, "let's go, you need to be well rested for tomorrow."

It would be a busy day. His last hurrah was over, and the future would change drastically.

Or so he hoped.

Lumine was far more tired than she let on. He walked her to a hotel with his hand on her back, and ardently ignored the glares of the locals as he passed. Xiangling caught her eye at one point and sent an obnoxious thumbs up, with Paimon floating at her shoulder with a mouth full of food. Childe bypassed the glare of the pixie, fortunately, and directed Lumine to the grand hotel.

He stayed in this hotel as well, as most Fatui in Liyue on missions did. Lumine said her exhausted goodbyes and accepted the key to her room, offering a quick squeeze of his hand before disappearing around the corner. She needed to sleep in a bed sometimes, he thought, she didn't take good enough care of herself - she danced with a Fatui Harbinger in the street and forced him into friendship with her, she really didnottake good care of herself.

Huffman arrived in Liyue at six in the morning. Childe was awake, drinking green tea on the balcony of his room and reading reports. The agent who slid him the note was quiet, and respectful. Huffman was a mile away.

Wonderful.

Under normal circumstances, he felt that he would regret last night's actions. To dance in the street with one's soulmate was incredibly romantic, but he supposed he could give himself that. If he were to never be with the woman the universe destined with him, he'd at least have one small experience of it. That would make his mother happy, just that one sliver of normality and destiny.

But the time had come for a great change in the stars. He was ready to move the celestial bodies, more than ever.

Childe met Huffman at the Northern gate around 6:30 a.m. - the knight of Favonius looked even more average than before in his regular traveling clothes. He wore a scarf, little bits of leather and steel around his legs and torso. He raised a hand in greeting as he approached, though his eyes held sadness.

Of course, he thought the honorary knight of Favonius was dying. Childe only hoped that Huffman was the forgiving type.

"Hi," a big smile, a friendly shake of his hand, as was the common greeting in Mondstadt, "You came at the right time, Lumine's doing well today."

"Oh?" Huffman perked up, "That's good to hear."

"Yeah… she's actually responsive today," Childe faked a tsk and a shake of his head, "poor girl, usually she's a vegetable."

He gasped in horror. With a hand over his mouth, he shook his head as if he might cry. Guillible loser, he was as oblivious as Lumine was. Perhaps they truly would be good together. With another dramatic sigh, Childe turned to go into the city, "Let's go see her. She might be resting right now, but she'll be happy to see you."

"Gosh," another sad sigh, "I told everyone at the Favonius headquarters. Outrider Amber is completely broken up."

Wonderful. Another loose end to tie. He'd have to play this off well. He wouldn't be surprised to hear of the knights planning Lumine's funeral for her.

Childe led Huffman through the city. He explained the aspects of the buildings and the markets as he did so, small snippets of 'Lumine loves that food stand' and 'that's Lumine's favorite dress shop'. In reality, he had no idea if Lumine liked any of those things, but it painted a bigger picture. If they fell in love with each other, then he doubted that either of them would care much for his deceit. Nothing would matter where it concerned Lumine in the end, anyway.

He took Huffman into the hotel and brought him to her room. "Go ahead, knock. She'd be ecstatic if it was you."

"A-Are you sure? Well-"

"Actually, wait," he froze and brushed past him, "I should check on her and make sure she's not, you know… lying in her own vomit."

Huffman's eyes widened, "I didn't know it was that bad!"

"It's terrible," Lumine in the morningisterrible, "really, she'd be horrified for you to see her like that. Let me see if she's ready."

If Lumine answered the door with her bed head and dried drool, she'd surely murder him on the spot. He wanted Huffman to fall in love with her, not see her for the bridge troll she truly was. He knocked on the door as the knight shambled down the hallway, making himself sparse to the sick woman in the room.

Another knock. The sound of grumbling inside of the room, feet hitting the floor and something rolling across the ground. He listened to the string of profanity escape her mouth as she stumbled to the door, and swung it open, revealing the bridge troll he knew he'd be met with.

"Hey beautiful."

She sneered. There was dried drool on her cheek. Her hair stuck up straight, her eyes lined with dark exhaustion. Pillow marks were indented onto her skin. "What?"

"You sleep well?"

"I was, until someone knocked on my door at the asscrack of dawn."

She was glorious. He could have held her in his arms and been entirely satisfied with life. "I brought your gift."

That was enough to light her fire. Her eyes widened, lips parting. She patted down her hair and stepped back, "Okay, where is it? I don't…" she gazed around his legs, "Is it invisible?"

It could have been, with how boring it was. He grinned and leaned on the doorframe, "Brush your hair and wash your face, then I'll show you."

"And what if I don't?" Her eyes narrowed.

"Then you'll regret it."

"Don't tell me what I'll regret."

"Fine, I'll just tell Huffman that you didn't care about your date today."

A pregnant pause. Tension filled the air, so thick he could have sliced it. She stared up at him, and took a deep breath. He watched the emotions flicker across her face, denial, and confusion, and anger, then back to confusion. It culminated into this expression that looked as if she'd swallowed a whole lemon. "E-Excuse me?"

"Huffman. He's in Liyue right now."

"You…" she attempted to process his words, "you knew he was coming?"

"Of course."

"That's your gift?"

"Yes!"

Lumine stepped towards him and wrapped her arms around his neck. Standing on her tip toes, she buried her face into his shoulder, squeezing him as tightly as he could. He put his hands on her back and offered a comforting pat while she nuzzled against his neck, "You're sweet, Childe, thank you so much."

"I mean," he hoped she couldn't hear how quick his heart began to race from her touch - her lips were so close to his skin, he could feel her breath on him, "I didn't carry him here, I just knew he was coming to see you. And I thought I might warn you first."

She pulled back with a sweet smile, "I appreciate it a lot, thank you so much."

When she looked at him like that, thanking him with her sweet voice and her sunshine smile, he knew he would have trouble with his actions. He was a human being, he had a conscience and a set of morals as strong as anyone else's. To betray someone who was genuinely good, a true warrior, he knew it would test him.

It was exactly why she needed to get out of the waynow.

"Go wash your face, girlie."

"Okay, thank you." The final blow was Lumine leaning up on her tip toes, and pressing a soft kiss against his cheek.

She truly was too trusting. This poor girl.

Lumine pulled back and closed the door. He listened to the sound of her frantically rushing around her room and talking to a barely awake Paimon. Last night was supposed to be the last hurrah, not the kiss on the cheek that burned him to his core and punched him in the stomach. He could only sigh and turn away, go find Huffman, and leave.

Hopefully, the next time he saw Lumine, it would be only for business.

Huffman waited in the lobby of the hotel. Childe passed him by without a spare glance, "She'll be down in a minute."

"W-Wait, is she okay to leave her room?"

"Sure."

"Sir, are you-"

Childe whipped around, glaring as he held onto the front door. He exhaled slowly in his attempt to release the anger, the regret, the frustration. "She's fine, just take care of her. Don't let her get into trouble."

The knight tilted his head, "Trouble?'

"Yeah, take her back to Mondsadt," he commanded, "get her out of here as soon as possible."

Huffman didn't understand, he never would. And hopefully, he would listen to Childe's warning and get Lumine out of Mondstadt. Perhaps she would settle down and they'd never see each other again, leaving him free to choose his own future. He would tell his mother of this interesting woman he met, move on, and die a glorious death in battle one day.

It was an absolutely perfect idea.

Childe left as Lumine rushed down the stairs to meet Huffman. He could hear her awkward laugh and the sound of her heels on the marble flooring. He greeted her quietly and steadied her shoulders to keep her from racing to meet him. Her delighted laughter was the last sound Childe heard before he went into the street.

And it was over. Plan finished, done. He couldfinallycelebrate removing the biggest obstacle.

Lumine was, obviously, not sick.

Huffman did not question this, because he is a very polite man, and did not want to make assumptions about her state of being.

But Lumine was,obviously, not sickatall.

Like an excited child, she held his hand and dragged him through the streets. Paimon disappeared into her pocket dimension for the day to give her privacy on her date, which Lumine appreciated. As she dragged Huffman from food stand, to storefront, to the harbor, she repeated her sheer amazement at the fact that he was even in Liyue in the first place.

"I can't believe you came to see me," another excited giggle, with shining eyes and a grin that could stun, "That's really sweet of you."

"Well I couldn't just let you…" how to be tactful without flatly admitting that she was dying, he wasn't sure, "I couldn't let you be alone."

She smiled over her shoulder again, "That's really nice, thank you. I admit that I wasn't expecting this," another laugh, "but there's a few interesting things we can do."

"Whatever you want, honorary knight," he nodded along seriously, "I'm here to be your companion." Until she died, that is. The other knights made him promise to not let her be alone, and even Amber and Kaeya would be visiting in a day or , he hoped that if she continued feeling so spry he might take the Harbinger's advice and bring her back to Mondstadt. It was where she belonged, not this city of commerce and contracts. She deserved to be free like the wind, in the city she saved.

And she seemed to have enough energy for travel. She wore a sundress, and held his hand with a perfectly strong grip. She looked back at him with a smile as she led him down the harbor, fresh sea breeze brushing wonderfully against her cheeks, "That's nice of you, thank you. I feel like I can't stop saying that."

"I'm just doing what anyone should do, honorary knight."

She sent him another odd look before shrugging it off with a shake of her head. She was determined to remain happy today, to enjoy he first date ever with the love of her life. She would not let any odd comment ruin her good mood. "So, I was thinking for the first part of our day, we could get some breakfast, then we could go for a walk-"

"You want to go on a walk?"

"Of course! The water around here is beautiful to walk along, and there's quite a few hilichurl camps we can attack as well."

"Y-You want to attack a hilichurl camp?"

Lumine wavered for a moment in her confusion, "...Yes? Why wouldn't I?"

"Excuse me, honorary knight," he shook his head as if he regretted life itself, "I don't mean to be rude, but would not fighting be hard on your constitution? I know you feel good today, but that doesn't mean it will last... "

It was so incredibly odd how he looked at her. And he kept calling her honorary knight, never by her name. She took a step back and frowned, releasing his hand, "Did Paimon tell you I was hungover? Because I'm really not, I only had one glass of baijiu."

"It's your… illness, my lady."

Her illness? Did Barbara tell him of her trauma and stress disorder from losing Aether, or the phantom pain from her wings? Huffing, she crossed her arms, "I don't really want to talk about that right now, sorry."

"I-It's fine! I apologize for bringing it up…" he forced a smile that made a blush rise to her cheeks, "if you want to fight a hilichurl camp, then we shall do just that. You deserve it."

Lumine wasn't sure exactlyhowshe deserved it. If it were not Huffman, she would have felt patronized for that comment. Letting it slide, she brushed past him and took his hand once more, "Yes, let's go, you don't know how long I've been waiting for this day."

Forever. She'd been waitingforever, since she first saw him in his armor. Yet, it was not only his face that drew her in, but his sense of responsibility, and his dedication to work.A weaker girl might fall for Diluc, who prowled the streets at night. But Lumine chose to love the man who fought justice in the daylight. He was not ashamed of his job, he loved to help people, and he quickly earned her attention with his bravery against the army of slimes planted by her and Diluc.

Even now, as he watched Paimon engorged herself on three plates of food, he was brave.

As he walked down the beach riddled with deactivated ruin guards, he was brave.

As Lumine summoned her sword and ran after a hilichurl, he was brave.

Soon, this bravery that Lumine fell in love with quickly, and completely, turned to horror.

Lumine walked over the unconscious body of a hilichurl as if it was dirt beneath her feet. In her pretty sundress, she ducked under a wooden club, twisted, and kicked the assailant down. The monster fell into the sand, and was promptly beheaded by her sword. And another, a samachurl beginning a spell, Lumine trapped it underneath her summoned geo with a smile brightly plastered onto her face.

She was brutal. She was ruthless, and efficient. Huffman had barely taken down one of the monsters when the arrow cut through the sky towards him. Lumine raced to his side and lunged to grab the arrow before it could make it's mark. With one twinge of her hand, she broke the shaft apart, and sent him a smile, "Watch out, you almost got hurt!"

Hedidalmost get hurt. He almost got an arrow to the chest, if not for Lumine. Swiftly, she took down the archer with a clean swipe of her blade. "Isn't this fun?" She laughed over the yells of the monsters, "I could do this all day!"

She didnotlook sick. She had enough strength to roundhouse monsters, grab them by their necks and toss them in the water. She was glowing with a certain kind of energy in battle that a dying woman would simply not possess.

Huffman watched, useless. Paimon floated at his shoulder boredly, as if she was used to the brutal sight. "Lumi's really good at this stuff, huh?"

He gulped, and nodded.

The pixie went on, "Paimon bets that Lumi could utterly crush you in a sparring match."

"...Y-You may be right."

"Lumi's pretty dominating, right?"

Right.Dominating.

"She's not about to die, is she?"

The pixie tilted her head in confusion, "Die? Noooo, Paimon thinks she's got a few good years left in her, maybe."

A few good years. Whether she died next week, or two years from then, he wouldnotbe in a relationship with someone like that. Hecouldnot. It would be dishonorable to pretend to like Lumine, even if she was on her deathbed.

"Honorary knight," he caught her attention from the edge of the camp, "We really need to talk."

It was not often that Childe had cause to celebrate. But today had been productive, one of the most productive days in Liyue so far.

A meeting with Zhongli was set, Lumine was distracted, and he could imagine the gnosis in his hand, that was how close he was to his goals. The Tsaritsa would be pleased with his efficiency, and perhaps Lumine would be popping out boring little kids soon, far too busy to challenge the cryo archon any longer. He truly was a genius.

He sat at a table with several of the recruits, listening to their idle conversation. He invited the Fatuu that were most involved with the plans to celebrate with him at the tea shop below the bank. While they were not privy to every detail, the smile on Childe's face told them all they needed to know. He'd won, he always smiled like that when he won.

"A toast," one of the agents who had been tracking Lumine stood, "to Tartaglia, and his grand plans."

A chorus of agreements and clinking glasses filled the air. He raised his own cup of tea and sighed in satisfaction. He adored his job, even with the coworkers and the needless killing. He loved the feeling of winning a difficult battle.

It was a shame that the satisfaction dissolved in half an instant.

Lumine took the empty seat next to his. She sighed and waved down a waiter, "Excuse me, I'll have the strongest drink you've got."

The strongest drink, and that sad sigh. Huffman was nowhere to be found. Dumbfounded, Childe stared in disbelief as she gave her drink specifications - extra liquor, she was in mourning, apparently.

And he, too, was in mourning. Mourning of his sanity.

"Where's your date, girlie?"

As if she had forgotten he was there, she twisted around to face him with wide eyes. He froze upon noticing the red lining her eyes, and the splotches of flush across her nose and cheeks. She smiled, though it resembled more of a grimace, and rested her elbow on the table, "He left for Mondstadt."

Childe thought he was clear on the instructions. "Without you?"

"Yeah," another sigh and a soft thank you as the extra strong drink was placed in front of her, "he doesn't like me."

He knew there was something wrong with that man. Nobody could bethatboringly perfect. Anger flared in his stomach as he watched Lumine rub at her eyes, "Why not?"

"He said I'm emasculating."

Emasculating.

Emasculating?

He thought Lumine, this woman in a frilly dress with flowers in her hair and doll-eyes, wasemasculating?

"Did you… step on a hilichurl again?"

"Yes."

That was it.

Childe could almost laugh at the absurdity of it all. Lumine had a way of bringing humor into his life, like stepping on monsters and getting ditched by men because she made them feel small. Yet, what felt more absurd than that was the fact that it was aproblemfor laughed and took another sip of his tea, "Sounds like he needs to grow up."

"I guess," another sigh, "if how I fight is a problem, then I'll never find someone who likes me."

If only she knew. "Trust me, you'll be fine." Staring at her over the rim of his cup, he watched the slope of her nose and the shape of her lashes, silhouetted by the evening sun. A breeze blew through her hair and wafted towards him, smelling like lavender and the sea. She had to have been out at the shoreline, it was one of his favorite scents in the world.

Childe closed his eyes for a moment to think. To remember.Ruminateon just what he'd do now. Just minutes ago, he was celebrating Lumine's departure and subsequent lack of meddling.

Plan B: halfway failed. Huffman did not work, and Lumine was still in the way. But he was not in love with her, and that made things far easier.

"Childe, you're a good friend, even if you're kind of weird. So..." her voice tore him from his thoughts. She stared down at her drink, finger tracing circles in the condensation on the table. She was beautiful, it was exactly why he was attempting tonotlook at her, "so, thank you. I guess you've taught me to not judge a book by it's cover, o-or I guess a Harbinger by the rest of it's military group."

She really knew how to push his buttons.

Plan B: halted, just for tonight. He couldn't think of another option after Huffman's failure, not right now.

"Don't you think you're getting a little too comfortable with me?"

Her eyes widened. She had the wisdom to look bashful for a moment, avoiding his eyes and twirling a lock of hair around her finger, "Well, perhaps if you're comfortable with me, then you won't end up stabbing me in the back. Right?"

"Life never works the way you think, Lumi." He reminded in sing-song.

And he earned a well deserved punch to the arm. She attempted to elbow him, moving closer to push him out of his seat, and failing terribly. "I won't let you betray me, and if you do then I'll make your life hell!"

Another laugh as he tried to hold her assault back, "So you're only friends with me on the off chance that I'll like you enough to not betray you?"

"That's not theonlyreason," she explained, "but it is a perk, right? You understand the benefits of perks, don't think I don't get why you put Huffman in front of me today."

Shehadto know he was up to something, she was not as dumb as her obliviousness let on. He ignored the remark and grabbed her wrists, holding them up between their bodies and smiling, "A man's gotta do his job somehow. Can't have you constantly distracting me."

"So you think I'm a distraction?"

"You broke into the bank at three in the morning and got me to come along for your road trip."

"That was your decision, Harbinger."

It was, but that was beside the point. "If you just marry Huffman and go back to Mondstadt, the bank would not risk anymore break ins."

Her eyes narrowed, "What do youreallywant, Childe?"

"Hm?" He laid the innocence on as thickly as he could.

"Are you after the gnosis too? I can tell when you're lying," her eyes grew serious, her brows furrowed, "and I trust you to not lie to me. I'm sure we can come to… well,somethingcivil in the end."

Perhaps. If she went back to Mondstadt and stayed out of the Fatui's business, that would certainly be civil. Nonetheless, he had no idea what lay in store for the body of Rex Lapis and the gnosis, or even how he could come to obtain such a thing. He'd not figured that out quite yet.

And she trusted him to not lie to her.

Another pang from his conscience, another bundle of wasps in his stomach. He released her wrists and sighed, "I don't know what I'm doing Lumine, I know as much information as you do about this whole thing."

That was not what she was looking for. "And? You promise that we'll figure something out and stay friends? Idon'tenjoy losing people."

Of course she didn't. He wasn't sure how he got grouped into her 'people'. He imagined Diluc was part of that, the knights of Favonius, the Outrider, Xiangling. All of them were good people. And once again, he was the black sheep.

Not that he minded, it was just incredibly confusing how he ended up there in the first place. The power of soulmates had to be stronger than he thought.

Forcing himself to lock his eyes with her, to not look to the left and betray himself, he smiled, "I promise that this will end well foreveryone, I won't betray you."

"Good," she giggled, "and if you do, then I'll kill you."

"You couldn't stand to, girlie."

"I'd try my best!"

He smiled, "And by the way, you're not emasculating."

Lumine sent him a pointed glare over the rim of her glass, "You're just saying that because you like to battle."

He liked to watch her battle, to be at her side, to see every ebb and flow of her sword as she moved through her enemies. Soulmate or not, he would never become tired of that. And he wouldespeciallynever be emasculated by it.

Huffman was an idiot, apparently. He sighed and rested his cheek in his palm, "Lumi, you can trust me, Huffman wasn't good for you."

"Then who would be?" She frowned.

Certainly not Childe, he was a terrible person who would betray every inch of their friendship at some point.

"...Maybe a mitachurl. I'll find you a monster boyfriend."

"Oh, you're too sweet."

"I know," a dramatic sigh, "it's one of my many wonderful qualities."

"I hope you know that even if I get married and become an old granny, I'll still bother your little group of thugs."

He knew. He had a feeling nothing could stop this hurricane.

"Yeah, well, you make things interesting, at least."

She did, and he would never change that about her. If only she would just leave him alone, the world be a far simpler place. And perhaps there was a way he could achieve this without having to go to Mondstadt.

That fortune teller liked mora, and Childe had mora. If he could bribe her into lying to Lumine about her starmate, perhaps she would become distracted. She could date someone in Liyue, stick around to spar with him on occasion, and be entirely focused on the man she dated. If Childe went a step further andpaidthe man to be with her, that was even better.

Fullproof, water tight. Plan B Alternative: commenced.

Chapter 6: Childe & Lumine

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter fornotes.)

Chapter Text

"Honorary knight, I just think-"

"You know my name, right?"

"L-Lou…?"

"Lumine."

That had to be the worst rejection she'd ever gotten.

"I just don't think a woman like you, and a guy like me really match well. You're… uh, you're a bit too terrifying."

Terrifying. Huffman called herterrifying. He had no idea what terrifying looked like if he thoughtshewas the description.

"To be honest, you're rather emasculating as well."

Emasculating. That was worse than terrifying.

Lumine had been rejected before. Childe had the idea that she could ask anyone to dance and they'd say yes. But that was far from the truth. Lumine had a great deal of experience in getting rejected - in various worlds and dimensions as well, there was not a species alive she had not been rejected by.

First, those frost giants on that frozen planet when she was 17. She was far too warm for his icy embrace.

Secondly, those brave warriors of the jungle planet at the age of 18. He had Aether inform her that her muscles were far too miniscule for him, and if her thighs could not crush heads then he wasnotinterested.

Thirdly, the sort-of fishy people from the water planet. He smelled, so she wasn't too broken up over him. Nonetheless, it still hit her self esteem like a slap to the face. If a fish-alien-thing could not like her, then who would?

It was when visiting Teyvat that Lumine decided to not fall in love with the first kind man she met, which was a habit of hers that caused Aether a great amount of stress - how easily she adored others. He always reminded her that she was too trusting, too focused on the positive, and she'd be far happier if she saw a man for what he truly was. While she did not plan to do that anytime soon, she promised her brother that she wouldnotget her heart broken on Teyvat.

That promise was very quickly broken.

Lumine couldn't blame Huffman for feeling had only hoped that he could look past that part of her personality and perhaps join her in battle, butdreams rarely did come true and her heart was broken for what felt like the millionth time.

It was exactly why she spent the next day at the Northland bank. She could not focus on her broken heart if she was constantly furious.

"Childe, you're being a terrible person again."

"Well," the Harbinger shrugged with his palms upturned, eyebrows raised and head shaking, "I'm sorry, but I don't really know what else you're expecting."

Lumine didn't either. She hardly ever did with Childe; and the knowing smile that drew at his lips when she glared only made her frustration grow. The obvious secrets he held made her want to scream.

Nevertheless, she still visited him. Northland bank was a luxurious building. It was a bit too high up the stairs for Lumine's comfort, but once inside the guarded doors she often felt comfortable enough to make herself at home in Childe's office. Since Huffman left a week ago, she'd spent every other day laying across his small sofa and reading books, even if he was not there.

She wasn't exactly surewhathe did when she wasn't there. Ekaterina would tell her the location, though Lumine never cared much to chase him down. He simply left his office unlocked, with a complimentary fluffed pillow on the couch - though she'd take the plush chair in his absence and pretend she was the boss and Paimon was her secretary; it was incredibly fun.

This day was an exact week from her date with Huffman. Lumine's mood was especially low and her patience nonexistent. She watched Childe lean over his desk and write something down, murmuring locations and numbers under his breath. After a moment of silence, she finally let out frustrated huff, "I'll go and clear this man's debt myself if it means you'll leave him alone, I'll take five part time jobs."

"Five?" He shot her a quick glance, one hand leaning on the desk and the other holding his pen - he was left handed, she'd never noticed before, "That would be quite a lot of work in comparison to what you've done so far."

"In comparison to what? Saving Mondstadt?"

"No," he stood up straight, "switch between my couch and Xianglings."

"Well, frankly, I prefer Xiangling's."

She certainly got more snacks at Xiangling's; and it smelled like spices in the apartment above the restaurant. While her friend did not mind her incessant couch hopping, Lumine was hesitant to overstay her welcome. She actually wanted Xiangling to keep liking her in the near future. With Childe, that wasn't much of a concern.

Childe rolled up his parchment into a scroll and placed it on the pile of waiting documents, speaking as he worked, "Then go to her place, it's probably much more pleasant there."

"Well yeah," Lumine snorted and laid her half-read book on her chest, "there's much less criminal activity there. But I can't go see her, the restaurant is super swamped right now and… frankly, I don't feel like helping out."

"Oh," he raised a brow and grinned, "You don't want to help out at Wanmin, but you're willing to take five part time jobs to get an old man out of debt he puthimselfin?"

"Thatwould be for a good cause."

"And what cause is that, girlie?"

"Destroying your evil little bank one customer at a time."

"You're such a gift to society," with a sigh, he gathered up the documents and headed towards the door, "Now be good and stay here while I go give these to the recruits."

Lumine wouldnotstay there.

She would not obey even one command from him, especially not when they're given in such condescending tones. Rolling off the couch, she caught up until she was hot on his heels, following the Harbinger down the stairs and to the lobby below. Childe sent a flat gaze over his shoulder, but it nothing to dispel the smile on her face.

"You're a bad listener," he muttered, "that's not very charming."

Lumine laughed, "Oh no, I'm a great listener, just not to you."

A group of Fatui recruits waited in the side room of the bank lobby, though Lumine knew she could not follow Childe that far without getting into a fight. "Stay here." Yet another command from the Harbinger, this time coupled with a playful ruffle of her hair as if she was a dog. Unfortunately, he walked away before she could kick his shin in retaliation.

Moping over the harsh rejection from the man of her dreams by spying on the Fatui was, perhaps, not working. And she wasn't even doing a very good job at thespyingaspect of it all.

With a sigh, Lumine settled into a chair near Ekaterina's desk and peaked at the meeting room from a distance as the Harbinger closed the door behind him, "I think I recognize a few of those debt collectors."

The receptionist perked up, "Oh yes, you're gaining quite the reputation amongst the men-"

"Ew."

"Oh, no, not in that way! Don't worry," she giggled with a delicate hand over her mouth, "we all know who the one for you is."

Huffman, of course. Lumine had spent 10 minutes of the last lady's night with the bank staff ranting about how beautiful his face was. Sneznhayans were natural gossips, theyhadto know how her date went by now.

Nevertheless, love and all its pains was the last thing Lumine wanted to talk about. She was more curious about the meeting Childe was in behind that closed door - and why he had so many scrolls to give out. They were, most likely, even more debts to be collected across Liyue, not all of them financial in nature. The thought made her stomach flip anxiously.

Huffing and turning away, Lumine counted the tiles on the floor in an attempt to distract herself. While the bank itself was rather droll, Childe was a good enough distraction from her constantly racing thoughts, even if part of that distraction involved bickering over the stupidest aspects of life that had ever been invented. It was a wonder he hadn't kicked her out yet.

In fact, Childe took Lumine and Paimon to dinner nearly every night. Odd.

"How long do you think he'll be in there?" She asked Ekaterina, leaning on the counter and resting her chin in her palm. The receptionist lit up with barely concealed excitement at the inquiry, as she often did when Lumine asked about her boss.

Everybodyat the bank was odd. They looked at her so reverentially, with fear and wonder in their eyes while the Fatui in Mondstadt just insulted her. Ekaterina smiled like a mother would at her daughter, "Oh, do you have plans with Master Childe?"

Lumine frowned and averted her gaze, "No, not in the in the least. I'm just bored and I don't know where that man who got into debt is, so it's not like I can go help him right now."

"Ah," she nodded, "you've been getting better at looking through our contacts, Lady Lumine. I'll put an extra lock on our filing room so you can't get in anymore."

Spectacular. She sighed once more and pushed away from the desk, "If Childe asks where I went, tell him to mind his own business."

"I-I don't think I can do that, but Iwilltell him you went for a walk."

That worked, since it wasexactlywhat she was doing. Even with the distraction that the conversation provided, the air remained stuffy. Lumine found herself grateful that Huffman left Liyue, though her mind lingered on him; she just wasn't sure what she'd do if she ran into him in the streets.

Therewasthe possibility that she would see him next time she visits Mondstadt, but she hoped to be completely over the man by then. As Lumine walked to the door, waving goodbye to the dutiful guards and receptionists - they called her Lady Lumine, or Mistress, which she had always found odd - her mind ran with possible ways to mend her fragile mood.

Aether was good at that, healing her. He knew just where to go, just what to do. He would pick the most dangerous monster he could find and let her loose. As much as it bothered his older sibling's sense of proprietary and concern, he knew it was the best cure possible. That, and a new sword. Lumine loved new swords.

But she didn't have any of that now. She didn't have the mora to buy a new weapon and she couldn't find any swords worthwhile in the wild. There was nobody to track down a monster, nobody to lead her there. She couldn't even tell North from South in this odd land with their never-changing stars. And she certainly could not find a powerful monster onpurpose.Even the Oceanid Lumine found by chance.

Xiangling was busy. Childe was busy. The traveler knew nobody else in Liyue to travel with, besides Paimon, who was taking a nap in her pocket dimension.

Sighing, she took the stairs to the street below. Her mind wandered as she looked at the street vendors and food stands. She'd shared chop suey with Huffman at that place last week, she'd looked at flowers at the other place with him. The sights of Liyue began to turn bitter from the memory.

Lumine did not realize she was glaring as she walked. Moving down to the harbor, she brushed past sailors and deckhands, and stood at the water. Aether always believed staring at the sea or the clouds would heal a bad mood, but Lumine did not feel healed at all. She simply choked on the smell of the fish stalls and felt her hair frizz up into a wild poof from the humidity.

It was a rare glare on her face, one that actually looked threatening. Oftentimes, she failed at such a thing. Yet, today, with her puffy hair and her heart dropping into her stomach, she achieved the angry 'leave me alone' look with absolute perfection. Crossing her arms over her chest, she leaned on one leg and huffed for what felt like the millionth time, "I'm giving up on love."

"Giving up on love? A pretty girl like you?"

Lumine nearly jumped from the sudden voice. She caught herself with both hands on the railing, leaning over it with wide eyes and a gasp. Her heart skipped a beat as the voice crawled down her spine and shivered through her limbs. Exhaling deeply, she shut her eyes, "S-Sorry to jump like that, I didn't…"

She looked up at the newcomer with thinning grey hair and a face of wrinkles. She was beautiful and would have been even more so in her prime.

After a moment, realization dawned. "You're… from all those weeks ago, right?"

And if Lumine remembered correctly, she owed this woman about 9,000 mora - her rates were 3,000 a minute. What a rip.

The old woman's smile held the traveler in place. She stared her down, but her eyes were not filled with anger for her debts. Instead, she chose to lean on the railing and sigh at the sky above, "What's made you so bitter, Lumine?"

Dread only sunk deeper into her chest. "How do you know my name? And what do you want?"

"So rude," the old lady tsked, "I told you before, I've seen your constellation light up the sky."

Her constellation, right. She read the stars but so uselessly could not tell her about Aether. Lumine relaxed and placed her elbow on the railing, staring out at the sea with a suspicious frown.

An uncomfortable silence fell between the two women. The traveler listened to the sound of Paimon popping into existence at her shoulder, stretching her arms and yawning like a cat. Finally, she had decided to reappear. She disappeared for a bit due to her extreme annoyance of Childe, saying he 'tired her out'. Wherever Paimon went, Lumine had no idea. To disappear at will was an enviable power.

The pixie rubbed at her eyes and smacked her lips, "Hey, what's- ah!" She zipped away from the old woman in an instant, "L-Lumi doesn't have any mora! Leave us alone!"

The fortune teller giggled with a hand over her lips, "No worries, little one, no worries. I'm not here to collect."

"I thought you were a conwoman." Lumine sent her a distrustful glare, though she wished to believe otherwise. Even cons had families and goals, it was only when her mora was involved that it became a problem.

"We don't do deals with cons, lady." Paimon floated into Lumine's arms and nestled the back of her head against her shoulder, staring at the water with furrowed brows and eyes filled with concern. She sat on the railing and kicked her legs, while the old woman watched.

Another awkward pause. The fortune teller almost looked embarrassed, "I see you're both giving me the cold shoulder.

"I'm sorry," Lumine offered a defeated sigh, "I don't mean to be rude, really, but I was just ditched on my first ever date with this guy I really like, and I'm a bit torn up."

"I thought that was last week?"

"My gosh," bewildered, she and Paimon shared a look, "does everyone in Liyue know each other's business?"

"Yes, most of the time. But I, for one, know your future."

Paimon crossed her arms and avoided looking at the woman, "Paimon and Lumine are perfectly fine, it's Paimon's job to not let Lumi be conned again!"

Again. For the sixth time, specifically. Paimon was far better at spotting those types of things, but not as good as Aether. It was difficult for Lumine, as she had been a tourist her entire life, and tourists were often the victims of such crimes.

"I'm not asking for money," the fortune put up a wrinkled hand in surrender, "Master Childe has been taking splendid care of me lately."

Her words caught Lumine and Paimon's attention. The pixie darted into the air over the traveler's shoulder, "Childe?Thatloser?"

"I wouldn't say he's a loser, but…"

Lumine's gaze flattened, "He's taking care of you?"

"It's more of a bribe," she grimaced, "but yes, I'm paid quite well to keep my mouth shut."

Being paid to keep her mouth shut, a bribe. Paimon and Lumine shared a wide eyed glance, both thinking the exact thing. What reason did Childe have to bribe an old fortune teller? The Fatui certainly had their fingers dipped into odd places, but never the business of old conwomen.

Lumine could not help herself. "Why is that?"

"Oh, as you can imagine, I can't tell you." She stated the obvious.

"I know, but… Childe doesn't have to know."

The old woman glanced over her shoulder and whispered, "Men like that have a way of finding out, my dear."

Lumine snorted, "You say it like he's the mafia boss."

"Well…"

She didn't want to delve into that subject. Childe was a complete dork, the man who threw arrows when he got tired of using his bow. The man who snored in his sleep and avoided chopsticks at all costs. While she did not underestimate his strength, she saw him for the absolute nerd he wasunderneaththe lust for battle and power.

And,he was her temporary friend, in some odd way. She wanted to think the best of him, hoping with every inch of optimism that he wouldnotstab her in the back at some point in the near future.

"So, are you his grandmother," Lumine turned to face the star seer, "or does he just have a thing for older women?"

She waved a hand, "Oh, goodness, no. I just know who his soulmate is, and he's paying me to keep quiet about it. Isn't that funny?"

Itwasfunny.

It washilarious, word soulmate struck a certain chord in Lumine's chest, wiping away the irritation and sadness, replacing it with the utter hilarity at the thought ofChilde's soulmate.

That poor woman, whoever she was. Paimon put both hands on her own mouth to stop her laughter and guffaws from escaping, "T-That loser? Paimon thinks his soulmatehasto be someone super ugly, like… like-"

"Like a hilichurl in a dress," Lumine snorted, "or some poor masochistic woman, probably in her 50s, twice divorced and looking for a rich sugar daddy."

"That's… a very specific thought you have there."

"It's the only kind of person I can imagine liking a Fatui Harbinger."

"Right," sarcasm laced her words, "well, you're very wrong, young lady. Too bad I can't tell you."

What a tease. An absolute frustration. Lumine huffed and turned away to face the railing once more, while Paimon glared at the woman flatly. "You can't just tell Paimon and Lumi something like this, and not give details. That's cruel."

"Yes, well," she tilted her head and smiled, "he's paying me not to. Says it distracts from his work, or something like that."

Hewouldsay that. He was a workaholic if she ever saw one, though more towards hisowngoals than the Fatui's. He was worse than Aether in that aspect, and she thought her big brother was the most determined person she'd ever met. Childe took the cake, but it seemed to only be when his strength was involved.

Lumine gave up, defeated. She sighed, "If you can't tell me who the poor woman is, could you at least tell me whomysoulmate is?"

"Hm... it's 5,000 mora a minute..."

"What?" Paimon exploded like a volcano, "That's ridiculous! Your prices have gone up!"

"A woman's got to make money somehow."

Lumine rolled her eyes, "I thought Childe was paying you."

"It never hurts to have a little extra, don't you think?" It was an innocent enough question, coupled with a wrinkled smile that spoke of every secret she kept. "But my contract with Tartaglia does not prevent me from at leastwarningyou."

That caught Lumine's attention. "Warning me?"

"Yes," her smile dissolved as a serious tone took over, "Watch out, Lumine. I don't knoweverythingabout your future, as the stars are not so talkative of such serious matters. But this, I do know... If you kill your enemy at the Golden House, you willneverfind love again."

The old woman spoke as if prophesying. Lumine felt the words weigh down her shoulders, hold her to the ground and sink into her skin. The air left her lungs, and her tongue grew heavy. Paimon gripped her arm like a child in barely concealed fear and curiosity.

Over the fortune teller's shoulder, a Fatui agent emerged from the crowd. He was too far away to hear what was said, but his target was obvious. Lumine did not recognize the shape of his face underneath the mask, he did not work at the bank, and did not know her.

"I know," the old woman glanced at the approaching agent, "I didn't say anything. Can't I talk about the weather without you parasites following me everywhere?"

"Sorry, ma'am," the Fatuu raised a hand and smiled, "Harbinger's orders. Why don't you allow me to escort you to the tea shop?"

The tea shop, somewhere far away from Lumine, and this conversation. With an insolent huff, the fortune teller took a step away, but not before Lumine gripped her wrist and whispered, "Are you okay? Do you need help?"

"I'm okay," a soft whisper filled with amusement, "he won't hurt me, young lady. And I haven't done anything wrong, either."

She had not. Lumine's heart raced in her ears as she watched the Fatuu and the fortune teller walk away. They approached the crowd in the center of the town, nobody noticing the agent directing her to the tea shop furthest away from the harbor.

Paimon was unusually silent. She twisted her fingers together and leaned her head on Lumine's shoulder. Her voice, too, was a whisper, as if her heart raced just as quickly. "Paimon thinks that, perhaps… that loser Harbinger might be scarier than Lumi thought."

This would be the part where Aether confronted him. Aether would keep Lumine away from the problem and talk to Childe personally just to get to the bottom of this. She felt a twinge of resentment, regret. She was not a kid, and she was not dumb. She could handle this, yet her brother always shielded her from the realities of mankind as if she was far too fragile.

Lumine did not think herself fragile and Aether was not here to make her feel that way. However, she didn't want to deal with it in the way her brother would simply because she wasnothim. She was Lumine, and she was smart, and she was confident, and she could handle some loser Harbinger who didn't even handle a bow with the correct posture.

"It's fine," a reassuring smile and a nod, that was all the traveler could offer, "whatever that was about, I'll take care of it."

Paimon looked as if she did not believe her, "How so?"

In the best way possible, of course. Lumine had her tactics, her ways. He would be terrified by the end of the night once she was done with him.

Dear Asshole,

How dare you send your thugs to stalk an old woman? How dare you bribe her? How dare you keep secrets? Don't think I don't know what you're doing. You should be ashamed of yourself. get on your knees and kiss my feet and ask for forgiveness, or I shall cut you down before the next sunset!

And, if you are wondering, she did not tell me who your starmate is. I asked so that I could warn the poor soul, but she would not budge. The fortune teller - do you know her name? Because I don't - did nothing wrong. The only wrong done here is the fact that you have someone destined to be with you! That poor person, whoever they may be. I bet they're hideous, terribly ugly, incredibly boring, with a very large nose to boot. I'd love to meet them one day! Once I marry the love of my life, we can double date.

Anyway, go screw yourself. If you do not apologize to the old woman, and myself, by tomorrow, I will slit your throat with your own arrow. I, also, will hide your corpse so you cannot have a proper funeral. That is the future you face if you do not obey my orders.

With Much Love, your friend Lumi

P.S. I replaced the snacks in your drawer, and added an apple as well. You should eat more fruits and vegetables from now on, or you'll get sick.

"God dammit, Lumi," a scowl that could kill, eyes filled with anger, poison in his voice, "you're making this reallyhard for me."

It was as if she read his mind, as if she knew every crevice of his being. With every step he took, she was one mile ahead without even realizing it.

The traveler was like a stubborn ink stain on cloth. She would not disappear, no matter how hard he tried.

All Childe ask was that she stay out of the way for this plan. It was all he wanted, for Lumine to stop meddling in the Fatui business and to allow him to get the gnosis. That was what the Tsaritsa wantedand it was what he would do. Paranoia began to creep into his mind as he re-read theutterly adorableletter. If she came into contact with the fortune teller, what other trappings of his had she run into? Was it by mere chance, or plan?

Was she aware of his meeting with Zhongli? Was she aware of his assumptions about Rex Lapis and the Qixing's involvement? What other secrets could she so easily discover about him?

Lumine needs to be out of the picture by the time his mission in Liyue is finished.

Grabbing his pen and sighing, he pulled out a blank piece of parchment. He often wrote home to his family, penning yet another letter would not take much time. His next appointment was due to arrive at his office any minute kept the message short and sweet. Heneverwrote letters that succinct to his siblings and parents, but with the many threats lacing Lumine's words, he felt she deserved as little words as he could possibly manage.

And this would work out in his favor, as well, with the knock on his office door and the agent waiting on the other side. Folding the paper into its shape, he stamped the wax seal, "Come in."

The door opened with hesitance, revealing a senior agent transferred from the field. Childe had requested him a day or so ago, rushing him away from whatever assignment La Signora had him working on to serve Tartaglia in Liyue. With an awkward clearing of his throat, he stepped inside the office, and closed the doors behind him.

Childe blew on the hot wax sealing the envelope. His eyes flickered up to appraise the newcomer, a man of average height with brown hair fluffed up by the mask he wore. He was built in the same way as Huffman, with the same strong jawline and sun-kissed skin.

"Y-You requested my presence, Master Tartaglia?"

"Yes," he waved the envelope in the air and leaned back in his chair, "I have an assignment for you, recruit. La Signora informed me that you're quite cunning."

"I-I suppose..."

Childe smiled at the pink dusting his cheeks, "How about you take off your mask for me?"

In the Fatui, it was extremely rare for recruits to take their masks off when in uniform. When actingoutof uniform, they could wear and look however they pleased. But when working on their assignments, discretion and caution were needed. Nobody showed their faces beside the Harbinger's themselves, and some of them - Dottore, for example - chose to hide their faces no matter what.

Shocked, but not about to argue with a Harbinger, the soldier pulled his mask up over his hair. His eyes were wide, brown, and his nose was straight. He looked far too nervous, and avoided Childe's face with every passing second, obviously uncomfortable.

He would do just fine.

"Alright, so I had a receptionist buy some clothes," Childe leaned down and picked up a box of traditional Liyue outfits, heaving it up onto his desk and standing from his chair, "from now on, your name is… Andreas. You're a postal carrier. Your target is Lumine, the traveler and hero of Mondstadt."

He knew the name. Nearly every Fatuu did. His eyes widened in shock, "A-And am I to… neutralize her?"

Childe put up a hand, "No, no. You're to date her."

"E-Excuse me, sir. Did you saydateher?"

"Yep," a confident nod and a smile, "you're getting paid double for this, by the way, she can be quite a handful. You're going to have to be all… I don't know," he tried to think of how to describe Huffman, "good. Be a good guy, be sweet to her, convince her to leave town for a bit while I take care of some things here."

And do not ask anymore questions. This man was trained well under Signora, he knew to not pry. Giving a salute, he took the box and gazed down at the outfits provided, "I-I'm going to go change now, if you give me leave to start my mission."

"Yep, go ahead, just keep her away from the Wangsheng funeral parlor for tonight. Oh, and," he smiled, "if you end up liking her, don't hesitate to keep her. I don't mind."

"Y-yes sir…"

It was an easy enough mission. Don't let her near Wangsheng, don't be rude to her, and distract her from every problem in Liyue. "Oh, and," he held up the sealed letter, "give this to her, won't you? Remember, you're a courier, I paid you to take this to her."

He attempted to have more confidence, with another sharp salute with one hand, and holding the box in the other. "Yes sir!"

Wonderful. Everything would finally start falling into plan.

And he had a meeting with the funeral parlor consultant in an hour, hopefully without the meddling of Lumine.

Or so he thought. As with most things involving the traveler, nothing went the way he hoped.

It was not tomorrow's sunset quite yet, but Lumine was famous for her impatient nature concerning these sorts of things.

"Do you think I should write him another letter?"

"No! Paimon thinks that's a terrible idea! Paimon didn't even want you to write the first one!"

Of course she didn't. Paimon never supported her rudely worded letters, and she'd sent many in her lifetime. And while the time limit for Childe's chance to apologize was not near quite yet, she found herself anxious to speak to him.

That old fortune teller was keeping his secrets, and while she would usually respect such matters, having her followed through the streets of her own city was going too far. As much as Lumine disliked people who gouged prices, she disliked bullying far more.

She almost didn't want to admit that Childe was being a bully. But the truth was obvious. The entire Fatui organization were bullies covered by a thin layer of diplomacy.

Sheneededto write another letter just to tell him what she thought about harassing old women. And she did not quite understand, either, why the subject of his starmate was such a closely guarded secret.

"He's probably embarrassed," Lumine spoke suddenly, scaring Paimon into mildly choking on her street food, "his soulmate is probably super gross, and he's afraid I'll make fun of him."

Paimon coughed on her snack, "B-But that doesn't give the loser an excuse for having that creepy old lady followed around!"

"You're right… I'll write another letter-"

"No! Stop it with the letters!"

"Fine," a defeated sigh, "I'll give him time to apologize first."

It was something, the best she could compromise on. Paimon rolled her eyes and continued chewing on the kebob of meat and veggies, "Paimon thinks he's just slimy, he's always been slimy."

"It's because he's a hydro user, they're always kind of wet somehow…"

With a mouth full of food, Paimon nodded along. Lumine rested her cheek on the cool marble table of the restaurant and shut her eyes. The bustling of Liyue never stopped, and she was not spared a glance in her despair and frustration. It had been an hour since the encounter with the fortune teller, and she had been able to think of anything else.

His soulmate, and hers. She never thought she'd have one. As curious as she was about it, she knew that it would only hurt her to find out. Her priority was Aether, finding the unknown God, not romance. And she assumed Childe was the same way, she could not ever see him caring for someone like that.

It was odd how the universe worked, who it set in front of it's people. Lumine sighed as she felt the eyes of someone on her back, staring her down through the smattering of restaurant tables. With her heart skipping a beat, she sat up and turned around to face the source of the feeling, "Childe?'

It was not the Harbinger. She wasn't sure whether that was fortunate, or unfortunate. It depended onwhothis man staring at her was, with his nervous hands clutching an envelope, and his brown eyes filled with expectation.

She sent him a polite smile. He returned it, taking that as an invitation to approach. Paimon glared like a dog protecting her food, "Ugh, another bother. Why can't Paimon just ever eat in peace?"

"Nothing is peaceful when you eat," Lumine wiped a bread crumb off the table and laughed, "and besides that, nothing is peaceful in our lives in general."

"You sure are right about that, Lumi."

"Why, I would even say," she eyed the man as he stopped beside her chair, smirking up at him with folded arms, "that the letter you're carrying is a declaration of war."

His mouth opened as if he was about to argue, but was shut immediately. Nodding, and smiling along, "Are you Lumine, the hero of Mondstadt?"

"I am."

"Master Tartaglia of the Fatui hired me to bring this to you," he held out the envelope with the signature red stamp on the front, "he said to look for a pretty blonde woman, but you are so much more than pretty."

A sweet talker. It was a bit more forward than she was used to. Suspicious, she took the envelope and broke the seal, leaning down beside Paimon to whisper the content to her pixie friend.

Dear Lumine,

No.

Love, Childe

P.S. don't believe everything you hear.

"That bastard, that absolute moron. I'll kill him, I'll rip out his eyes and stuff them down his throat."

The courier grinned, "I must say, that's pretty attractive."

Pretty attractive was not what she wanted to hear in that moment. She wanted to hear Childe own up to his terrible actions and apologize, though she doubted that would ever happen. He was a Fatui Harbinger, what else did she expect? He had said it himself.

She crumbled the letter into a ball and huffed, "Thank you for delivering this. I'm sorry, I don't have anything to tip you with."

"How about…" he paused in thought and slid into the seat beside hers, "a date?"

A date.A date.This man was hitting on her. He called her beautiful, said she was attractive, asked her on adate.

Terrifying.

Absolutely terrifying.

Lumine and Paimon both stared with wide, shocked eyes. A blanket of awkward silence fell over the table, nearly smothering the group in it's sheer humiliation. The back of her neck began to sweat in anxiety, her hands grew clammy, her knees shook.

Lumine had never beenaskedon a date before.

"Paimon," a barely concealed whisper, laced with fear, "what does one say to something like this?"

"P-Paimon doesn't know! Paimon's never been on a date before!"

"You're no help!"

"Sorry!"

She wasn't sorry. She was soaking up Lumine's anxiety with the biggest grin she'd ever worn. Fear of the unknown came off the traveler in waves as she stuttered, and fiddled with her fingers, and bounced her knee.

Usually, she was the one asking the man out, never the other way around. Aether had been asked out before, though, and she desperately racked her brain to remember what he would say.

It was probably something very cool, very suave, like, "Oh, sure, sure. What's your name?"

"Andreas, my lady," he took her clammy palm and kissed her knuckles, "and you're Lumine."

"I aaaam…" she drew out the word awkwardly and yanked her hand back, "it's n-nice to meet you."

"No need to be nervous, I'll treat you well."

He was so forward. He was so flirty. She'd never been flirted with before. Out of breath, all Lumine could offer in return was a speechless nod, and pink cheeks. Her heart raced as he took her hand and stood up beside the table, "Are you free right now?"

Paimon was trying her best to not laugh. She did not succeed. With a snort and a guffaw, the pixie disappeared in a cloud of white constellations. Lumine gasped in shock, "Get back here!"

There went her only support, though Paimon would not have helped much. Pausing for a moment, she recalled that this odd man awaited an answer. She wished she could channel Aether's energy, Lisa's, or even Kaeya's. She had no idea how to act when flirted with.

He raised a brow in question. She gulped, "I suppose so, yes. Where are we going?"

"Oh, I know a place…"

He didnotknow a place.

That was the problem there, he had no idea where he was taking her. La Signora sent this particular agent due to his resourcefulness. But little did Childe know, the unnamed agent in disguise hadneverstepped foot in Liyue. He had found Lumine from sheer luck and a bit of asking around, and he did not dare to question the 11th Harbinger any longer than he must.

'Andreas' had no idea where this Wangsheng funeral parlor was, what part of town he was in, or where to begin with this fake date.

He took Lumine's hand and led her down the stairs, to the street below. It was bustling with evening traffic as the world grew dark above. "We'll have fun, I'm glad you agreed."

"Yeah, me too…" An awkward chuckle, and her attempts to avoid his eyes at all costs.

But naturally, since the universe despised Childe, his hired Fatui agent led Lumine right to the funeral parlor, exactly where she wasnotsupposed to be.

He did not notice where he was walking, instead making small talk with the traveler. He discovered that her favorite color was yellow, her favorite food was meat skewers - and she was incredibly nervous, as nobody had ever asked her on a date before. He attempted to act interested, though his mind rested more on the mora he would earn from this job. "I think there's a restaurant down here, Lumi. Can I call you that?"

She shifted uncomfortably at his side with her arm brushing against his while they slipped through the crowd, "I guess… I mean, sure, if you'd like to."

What an easy woman, so easily flustered. He expected the enemy of the Fatui to be more strong willed, but she was like a docile kitten at every flirtatious grin. She was putty in his hands, it seemed.

But to repeat, this man knew nothing of Liyue, and hadno ideaif there was a restaurant ahead. He simply expected to run into one eventually, at some point. And Lumine took no initiative to direct him elsewhere.

The streets began to clear as they walked up a flight of stone steps. The air of this certain district was far more quiet and serene, much better taken care of than the market streets. Lumine glanced around with wide eyes, "I don't think I've ever been to this part of town."

"Oh," he laughed in an attempt to cover up his mistake, "I must have taken a wrong turn, it looks pretty barren here, doesn't it?"

It did. Lumine stopped in her tracks, observing the new surroundings. A few of the Millelith stood around, watching passersby with suspicious eyes. At the end of the street, an ominous building loomed over the pavilion.

Andreas began to turn to leave, but a flash of ginger hair caught Lumine's immediate attention.

Her heart began to race once more, drumming in her ears. Her hands grew clammy, her knees shaky, but it was not due to her date's flirting. As he began walking down the steps, Lumine pulled back, "I-I need to check something out, can you hold on?"

He whipped around with wide eyes, an odd look on his face, "N-No! The restaurants will fill up if we wait much longer. Come on."

She did not appreciate being bossed around. Huffing, and taking another step away, she raised a dismissive hand, "Just one minute, I need to see what's going on over here."

Where she noticed the flash of ginger and grey, a door opened. Childe stood on the front steps of the ominous building, holding onto the door handle and speaking to a darkly clad man inside. His back was to her, not yet noticing her presence just 50 feet away. Andreas's eyes widened with fear, "L-Lumi, get back here!" But his harshly whispered commands went unheeded.

Lumine slipped behind a column and peaked around the corner at Childe. He still faced away. She ran to the next column in her attempts to hear his conversation.

She was not entirely surewhyshe wanted to eavesdrop on her friend. Perhaps it was her anger, or her suspicion of his intentions. Perhaps he was doing something incredibly boring, and she'd be humiliated for stalking him in the end. That was a risk she was willing to take. At the front of the pavilion, Andreas had disappeared.

He wasn't really her type anyway, no big deal.

Slinking around yet another corner, the deep voice of another man finally could be heard. She had never met him before, he was not Fatui. She tilted her head to listen further.

"Right, tomorrow will be just fine. Will you be taking care of the ritual for Rex Lapis yourself?"

"I might," Childe spoke lightly, with no inflection other than the passive boredom he usually wore, "It would be easier if I did."

The unfamiliar man cleared his throat, "It is a very important event. This is a sacred Liyue tradition, and once everything is in place, you will be able to see Rex Lapis for yourself. That is what you desire, correct?"

That asshole.

Thatbastard.

If Lumine were not so polite, she would have jumped out from behind the column and strangled the Harbinger right then and there.

Her throat tightened as if she'd swallowed a rock. With despair circling like a storm in her stomach, she gripped her fists and took a deep breath. But it seemed that no amount of breathing techniques could dispel the anger poisoning her veins.

What did she expect? He was a Fatui Harbinger.

And she, Lumine, could be a bastard just as well as him ifthatwas how he wanted to play.

Quick as could be, she slipped into view from the column and raised her hand, "Oh, Master Tartaglia! I'm so sorry I'm late!"

Lumine relished in the stiffening of his shoulders, the clenching of his fists. He froze in place, while the darkly clad man in the doorway merely looked around him with a curious, calm expression. Slowly, barely holding in his anger and shock, Childe turned, shoulders stiff as a board.

Lumine smiled. Heforcedhimself to smile back.

"It's terribly rude of me, isn't it?" She laughed and walked up the steps to the building, reading the golden plaque along the way that labeled it as 'Wangsheng Funeral Parlor'. It made sense, Rex Lapis was dead, therehadto be a funeral. She simply did not expect Childe to be the one to assist in that. "Hi, nice to meet you," she bowed to the funeral consultant, "My name is Lumine, I'm Childe's business partner in this whole affair."

"Oh!" Golden eyes lit up with recognition, "Wonderful, my name is Zhongli. You have not missed much," he sent a polite look to the steaming Harbinger at her side, "We will be discussing the details of the funeral procession tomorrow at Liuli Pavilion."

"Wonderful!" She offered a wide smile, spite and anger against Childe fueling her every move, "Again, I'm so sorry to be late, I was taking care of something very important."

Childe forced another smile. He linked his arm with Lumine's, attempting to sound casual despite the tension in his shoulders - though Zhongli did not seem to notice at all. "Right, she'll be there as well. I apologize for not mentioning her earlier."

"No problem," he put up a hand, "I look forward to our business dinner tomorrow."

Lumine smirked, "Oh, so do I. Are you ready to take our leave, Master Tartaglia?"

"Yes, Lady Lumine, let's go discuss business, shall we?"

"Oh, weshall."

Childe and Lumine were extremely lucky that this Zhongli fellow was oblivious. He appraised the two, eyes flickering to their linked arms and their tense smiles. With a small nod of satisfaction, he bowed, and began to close the door, "Have a nice night, you two." The door clicked shut. Lumine listened to the sound of Zhongli's footsteps as he walked away. Silence fell between the traveler and the Harbinger, thick as leather.

Childe sighed and closed his eyes. He pulled his arm away from hers, taking a step back and rubbing the bridge of his nose. Despite the obvious irritation, he smiled, though the expression lacked humor, "Lumine…"

She hadn't had this much fun a long time. "Yes, my wonderful business partner?"

"We need to talk."

"Oh yes, you're right about that," she barked a short laugh, "We have much to discuss, like howIwill be doing the funeral proceedings, whatever they may be."

"No, Lumi,Iwill be doing them."

"No, Childe,Iwill be doing it. Andyouwill be groveling at my feet for forgiveness."

"Oh,really?"

"Yes, really!" Finally, the anger was let loose, but she could not stand to look at him any longer. Huffing and turning away, she stomped down the stairs with him in tow, "I cannotbelieveyou would set up a meeting about Rex Lapis without me!"

He grabbed her wrist and followed closely behind, "I can't believe that you'd eavesdrop on my business deal!"

"I have a right to!"

"Like hell you do! This is Fatui business, girlie!"

"You promised you'd help me!"

"Idid," he hissed, yanking her towards him again so she would face him, "I helped get the Millelith off your back, and I figured out what to do next about this stalemate, just like I said I would. For all you know, I was going to tell you afterwards."

She laughed bitterly, "Oh, so you taking care of the funeral stuff by yourself is also part of telling me? What were you planning, Childe? To just do it all, get the gnosis and fill me in later?"

Something along those lines. If his plans ever actually worked, she'd be far too distracted to care. He straightened up and scanned the area for any sign of the hired agent and found nothing. Someone was going to be fired.

Before Childe could respond, the door to the parlor opened behind him. His hand was away from her wrist in an instant, neatly lacing with his other hand behind his back as he stood up straight to look at Zhongli waiting in the doorway. Lumine's reaction time was just as quick, as she smothered her frown away and put on an angelic smile.

"I thought I heard some yelling," Zhongli explained slowly, "Is everything okay out here?"

"It's fine," Lumine faked a girlish giggle, "it must have been the wind."

Childe nodded along, "Right, the wind. Nobody's yelling."

"No," Zhongli put a hand to his chin in thought, "I was sure I heard you two yelling at each other… Ah," he smiled softly, "it must've been a lover's spat, right? I understand your hesitance to tell me. I apologize for prying," he began to shut the door once more, "Goodnight, you two. Stay safe."

A lover's spat.

A lover's spat?

Lumine wanted to vomit at the thought.

Childe put his face into his hands and groaned. "I cannot believe this. Why doesn't anything work out for me?"

"Your life must be so hard." Lumine snarked.

"You have no idea, printsessa."

"Don't call me that right now, I'm angry at you."

"Well," he put a hand to his chest and forced a tense smile, "I'm not angry at you, I've got nothing to hide."

He was an idiot. He was a bastard idiot who could never succeed in pulling the wool over her eyes. Huffing, she stepped forward and poked a finger into his chest, "You've got a lot of nerve, Childe. Don't think I can't tell how you feel."

"Everything's fine, Lumine."

"You're a terrible liar. You're regretting showing your true emotions because you'd much rather I be in the dark about how you feel, because you want me to trust you. You want me to be a good girl and play along with your little game. Well, tough luck," she snapped, "I won't be doing that!"

Lumine had never been so spot on, and Childe had never been so easily readable.

Perhaps things would be different if he didn't know she was his soulmate. Perhaps he could control himself better, perhaps he could do his job correctly. Perhaps this would not be so complicated.

And she was so disgustingly beautiful when she was angry; her eyes wide and her cheeks red and her lips parting in time with her heaving chest. The sight made him sick.

"Where's your date?" Childe ignored her utterly correct accusation and averted his eyes, trying to not take the sight of her in - trying tonotpaint it on his memory to keep forever.

Lumine's lips parted in horror, "How did you know I was on a date?"

"…I know everything."

"Childe!"

"Fine," he crossed his arms and forced another smile, "If you desire me to be completely honest with you, I paid that man to ask you out. He's a Fatui agent."

This man was terrible. He was horrible. He was her worst nightmare, a liar, a bastard. She gasped and covered her mouth, her eyes wide. "Y-You…? Howdareyou? A-And I got my hopes up!"

Childe raised a brow, "So, you liked him?"

"Not in the least! But dear god, that was the first man to ever ask me on a date. I thought I wasdesirablefor a second." She stared at him in horror, anxiety coming off her in waves, "And what's worse is that you think… y-you think I'd likehim?"

Thatwas what she was worried about? The fact that he picked out the wrong guy was far more important in her mind than the fact that hepaidthat man to ask her out. Childe felt a tinge of regret in his chest at her admission, he could hardly believe her words. It was insane that nobody had asked her on a date before, he expected entire worlds to fall at her feet.

It was almost laughable, the look in her eyes and the parting of her lips. Her face was devoid of color in horror. He felt a chuckle rise up through his throat despite the anger at his failed plan.

Lumine had that effect on him. Even in his worst moods, she found a way to make him laugh. It was like a curse.

Childe sighed in defeat. This was inevitable, he was defeated by the tears forming in the corners of her eyes. They were not tears of sadness, but frustration and anger. He raised a hand to her cheek and tucked her chin up to look at him, "Lumi, I'm sorry for keeping secrets, but you have to understand that these are my orders. You can have a hand in this as well, if you want, but I'll tell you right now that Iwillhave the gnosis."

With her chin still in his hand, she frantically rubbed at the hot tears in the corners of her eyes. She hated that she was so emotional, so easily affected. Aether would never react in this way. She attempted to steady her glare and let her frustration and anger shine through, "Over my dead body."

His voice was a whisper, "Don't say things like that, lyubimaya."

She banged a light fist onto his chest, "I don't even know what that means!"

"Good," he managed a chuckle, "someone's got to keep you wondering."

"Who said I want it to be you?"

Another challenge. And she was perfectly correct, nobody had said so. But she put herself into this situation by stepping into Fatui business - or even by destiny itself. It almost seemed as if he could not get rid of her no matterwhathe tried.

Life was annoying like that.

He ignored her challenge and went on, "Well, if I can't distract you from your meddling, I guess we'll just have to work together."

Lumine's anger melted away as she rested her hands on his shoulders, looking up at him with a hopeful gasp that suited her face far better than any frown. "That's what I've wanted all along. And you promise to help me find my brother as well?"

"Whatever you want, lyubimaya."

Childe wasn't sure why he called her his beloved, why she was 'princess' and 'Lumi', and on occasion she was his even 'my star'. The name fit, this girl from another world - or so his reports told, she was onlyrumoredto be from another world, a traveler who could summon constellations with a flick of her hand. Nonetheless, he found it applicable to the girl in front of him, the one with the furrowed brows and relieved, hopeful hint of a smile.

She was genuinely happy that he was going to work alongside her now. She was far too trusting, so much so that it worried him.

"So," he grinned, "how'd you scare Andreas off?"

"I didn't, he just, uh…" she glanced around with wide eyes, "he disappeared when I didn't listen to him."

"Probably because he knows I'm about to fire him."

"Childe!" She hit his arm with a horrified gasp, "Don't you dare!"

Perhaps if she was less difficult, his plans would actually work. Perhaps if she was not so strong headed, they would not be having this discussion. The pavilion was, thankfully, empty for the evening. With the sky dark and the floating lanterns glowing, Lumine was positively angelic in the lighting. She crossed her arms and faced away from him in her attempts to not acknowledge his terrible behavior. He understood that, he wouldn't want to acknowledge it either. Somehow, though, she could still stand to be next to him.

Another bite of irritation ran through his veins. If only she listened, if only she was not so righteous minded, if only she stopped bothering the Fatui. Lumine was just a bundle of beautiful if onlys.

He exhaled slowly, attempting to let his anger out, "I don't like it when things don't go my way."

"Oh, shut up," she snapped, her irritation returning instantly, "that's life, you whiner."

Childe was notwhining, he was bemoaning his place in the world. He'd have to discharge a soldier tomorrow, go to a business dinner, and babysit Lumine. There was nothing to look forward to besides ending this oddly difficult mission.

In both Lumine and Childe, the irritation returned. His gaze flattened as he looked down at her, their bodies so close he could feel the heat from her skin. They could only have peace for a minute before the teeth were bared once more. "You need to stay out of Fatui business, I'm going to have to ask you to not speak to that fortune teller again."

Lumine glared up at him, "You can't tell me what to do."

He knew that, but he could attempt it. He narrowed his eyes and returned the hard look, "There's a reason I have people following her."

"Why?" She erupted, "Are you afraid she'll knit someone to death? She's an old lady, Childe, leave her alone!"

"I have my reasons."

"No you don't," she huffed again, gripping the front of his jacket in her anger, "You're just being a bully because nothing's going the way you want it."

"Because there's a certain traveler in my way-"

"I cannotbelievewe are friends," she groaned, "why did I do this to myself?"

"Masochism."

He stated it as if it was a fact. She was inclined to agree, "You're an asshole."

There was no need to hide his emotions like he would with anyone else, she already knew how he felt. "You're obnoxious."

"Well,you'refull of yourself!"

"You'renaive!"

"You're backstabbing!"

"You're compensating for something!"

"At least it's not for a tiny dick like yours!"

He wasn't sure why the tiny dick comment motivated him the way it did.

Childe let the tension take over. His heart began to race, his blood boiled with the familiar excitement of a battle. Lumine was the most beautiful, frustrating, mind blowing woman he'd ever met. He realized it, then, she was the only woman he'd ever been attracted to. Her glare, her frown, her smile, her eyes. When she was happy, his heart raced, when she was angry, his heart raced, when she gave him just the slightest amount of attention, his heart raced.

The tension in the air sank down into his skin and suffocated his throat. It lit a fire in his stomach, moving his limbs into action before he could stop himself.

Lumine's eyes widened as Childe gripped her waist and nudged her forward. Her back hit the column gently, but his fingers dug into her skin. Looming over her, he leaned down, his breath hot on her neck. Her heart began to race as he spoke, "You really make things difficult for me."

The traveler could not help but grin. Despite the oddity of being pinned by the waist to a column by a Fatui Harbinger, despite the horror and dawning dread, some part of herself actually-

Perhaps, maybe, she enjoyed those words of his.

"…And I will continue to do so, forever."

"I can't escape you, can I?" Childe asked with a sigh.

Something flipped in Lumine's chest and she was suddenly out of breath.

"Never."

The tension between them finally snapped like a frayed rope.

And his lips met hers.

Childe didn't knowwhathe was doing nor why he was doing it. But it was happening nonetheless. Without another thought, he tangled one hand into her hair and lifted her face to give him more access to her mouth. His hand held her waist, the other gripping blonde locks between his fingers as if she were his lifeline. She smelled of lavender, a scent he never thought he'd like.

And Lumine, apparently, did not know how to kiss back. Or she was far too shocked. After four seconds of Childe's lips against hers, she returned the gesture, and made fireworks explode inside of him. Slowly, hesitantly, her hands trailed up his chest and wrapped around his shoulders. And it was perfect, they fit so wonderfully against each other, with his hips bumping against hers and his fingers digging into her waist. Her hair was soft - he wished he wasn't wearing gloves.

She tilted her head and closed her eyes to match him. Another kiss, and another, growing deeper and deeper. He pressed her back against the wall further with increased excitement flowing through his veins. There was no room left between them, not even an inch. Wanting more, he tightened his grip on her hair and deepened it, his entire body feeling as if it was on fire.

Only one logical thought crossed his mind: what the hell was he doing?

And unfortunately, he still needed to breathe.

Parting with a soft sigh, he whispered against her lips, "I'm sorry, I need more self control."

"I…" Lumine was at a loss for words. Her hands gripped the front of his jacket, holding him as closely as she could. With her head tilted up and eyes still closed, she whispered, "I think I'll forgive you, just this once."

His nose brushed against hers, their lips softly touching for half a second as he let out a soft chuckle, "I'm honored to have your forgiveness, I truly need it."

"You do need it. You're a fool, Harbinger, you fell for my trap."

Her trap. She was an absolute riot. He pulled back with a smile, "Lumi, stop lying. You couldn't seduce a shovel if you tried."

The anger returned, it's triumph victory over any romantic tension that might have still lingered. She gripped his jacket and delivered a harsh punch to his shoulder. Despite the assault, their bodies pressed against each other in some desperate attempt to close the space between them. Her glare was like honey on his tongue. "I cannot believeyoutook my first kiss."

How funny, it was his first as well. He'd done an absolutely terrible thing just then.

He would not let her know that, of course. He wanted the upper hand in at least something.

"Well, I never said I was a good guy." With a regretful sigh, Childe pulled away and ruffled her hair with a grin. He felt like he was walking on air, as if his skin was the only thing keeping him from entirely bursting apart. But he could not stay in her gravitational pull any longer, no matter how magnetic

He'd never felt anything close to this, not even in battle. He was warm, and excited, and nervous, and positively breathless by the look on her face - which was a frustrated frown, of course, a glare. Lumine's anger had a way of messing with his mind, making him a complete bumbling idiot. He almost wanted to drop to his knees and kiss her hand, just to frustrate her further.

And of course, because she was his soulmate, she knew exactly what he was thinking. He was sure that he did not look as nervous on the outside, as he was on the inside. His stomach churned with unfamiliar dread at what just happened.

"We will never speak of this again."

He nodded along with a smile, "Never again. This never happened."

"Right... Walk me to the hotel?"

She knew exactly what buttons to push. She knew where to poke and prod, when to speak and when to be silent. His entire body felt on fire with excitement, so much so that he looked away to hide the unending smile on his lips.

"Whatever my printsessa desires, it shall be."

"I'll kill you."

A dreamy sigh that he could hardly stop from escaping, "I know you will."

"Stop being weird or I'll walk back alone."

Her grip on the harbinger's heart was tightening. He hated every second of it, but he knew it would be far more difficult to stop than he thought.

Why did he have to kiss her? He had absolutely no idea.

"Remember, this never happened."

Lumine shot him a flat glare over her shoulder, "Whatnever happened?"

"Nothing at all, that's what."

And hecertainlydid not have the urge to kiss her again. Hecertainlydid not want to press her against a wall and stay in her arms forever. Hecertainlydid not want her at his side that night. Not at all.

It was high time he started to repress some feelings.

Notes:

conceal... don't feel... put on a shooow! Make one wrong move and everyone will knoooow (that Childe likes Lumine)

Chapter 7: Whipped

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter fornotes.)

Chapter Text

The kiss would not be discussed.

Or so Childe hoped.

The awkward air between them said more than either of them ever could. Childe could not take another step towards the hotel without thinking of the feeling of Lumine against him, her lips and her breath and her skin. He knew that she was thinking the same thing, as they walked down the dark evening street, her cheeks grew redder, pinker, and her eyes wider like a terrified deer caught in the light.

It told him all he needed to know. He kissed her, she liked it, and she was questioningwhy. He wondered the exact thing.

The promise to never speak of the kiss was broken in about five minutes. Childe opened the door to the hotel for Lumine, she thanked him softly and walked into the lobby, heading towards the staircase. Quiet and thoughtful, he followed, until he could not take the deafening silence any longer.

"I don't know why I did that."

Her shoulders tensed. She stopped mid-step, her hand on the railing of the stairs. She glanced over her shoulder and frowned, "What?"

"Don't act coy," he sighed, "the kiss. I don't know why I did that. I guess I was angry, and it just…"

"...It just happened."

"Right. I'm sorry, Lumi. I shouldn't have done that."

"It's fine," she offered a nod of understanding, "I get it, I really do. But I thought we said we wouldn't talk about it."

"Well, weshouldn'ttalk about it." He grimaced and crossed his arms. The hotel lobby was empty for the night, but he still felt exposed to a million eyes, as if the walls had ears. Childe never thought he'd have this conversation in his lifetime.

She huffed, "Do youwantto talk about?"

Truthfully, he didn't. He just wanted to apologize, to her and to himself. This woman was meant to be his enemy, no matter how comfortable they felt with each other. They were both after the same thing, racing each each other to the finish line.

"No," he ruffled her hair and forced a soft laugh, "I just wanted you to know that I'm sorry."

"You're unusually apologetic tonight."

Childe thought he wasalwaysapologetic and polite. His mother and father had raised him to say his pleases and thank yous, and in a family of nine people - parents included - one had to learn how to play nice with others. He thought he was quite good at it.

"So, now that that's over," he stopped at the bottom of the staircase, smiling up at her, "bottom line, that never happened."

Lumine looked down at him. He could not read her expression. The curiosity of what went through her mind itched at him further. With a huff, she put her hands behind her back and rocked on her heels, avoiding his eyes. "Promise?"

"I not only promise," he offered his pinkie, "I pinkie promise."

The pouty expression dissolved into amusement. Lumine wrapped her pinkie around his, and they shook on it. Promise made, done, set in stone.

The words he'd repeated for what seemed like hundreds of times with his siblings came to his mind. That old children's rhyme, the one he taught Teucer. Lumine wouldn't get it, so he resisted the urge to recite it out loud. She pulled away and crossed her arms over her chest, "Great. Nothing happened."

He smiled slyly, "Concerning what, girlie?"

"Nothing!"

"Hm?"

"You're annoying me tonight," she took a step away, "I don't want to be in the same hotel as you, I'll sleep outside. Save your mora for someone else…" another glare, accompanied with pink cheeks that betrayed her embarrassment, "Maybe your soulmate? I'm sure they'd appreciate it far more."

Stubborn. Lumine could be so spitefully stubborn. She was as unmoving as a stone wall, and just as dense. He sighed as another flicker of frustration came to life in his chest, "No, she really wouldn't."

"Why?" Lumine lifted her chin, "is she a hilichurl? A bear?"

"She's certainly got the personality of one."

"Poor you…" A smirk from her, and another flicker of fire inside of him. She was dangerously close to this forbidden subject. And it truly did look like it might rain tonight. Nonetheless, he was not her white night, nor her prince. If she wanted to spend the night being spiteful and stubborn outside, instead of in a cozy hotel room he was paying for, then so be it. He wouldn't be able to control her anyhow.

"Yep, poor me." Childe took a step up the stairs, "If you're so keen about refusing my generosity, don't let me stop you. Just be there tomorrow for the meeting at Liuli… or not," another smile, "it'd be great if you weren't."

Lumine had a glare that rarely was threatening. It was her soft features and pink cheeks, coupled with the big eyes, that ruined her attempts to look angry. He knew, though, that underneath the cute face was a hell storm waiting to rain down. He could not let himself underestimate her. "I won't let you have the gnosis," she warned.

It was odd how protective she was. To his knowledge, she'd never even met Rex Lapis. She could not be friends with him like she was with Barbatos. Narrowing his eyes, he watched her from his spot on the staircase, "Why're you so determined to have it? What use does it have for you?"

"What use does it have foryou?"

"It's not for me," he put a hand to his chest, "it's for the Tsaritsa."

"But why?"

He wasn't entirely sure. He was simply given the order, and did what he was told. Childe did not allow his thought process to show, but Lumine could read him like a book. She furrowed her brows as she noticed the blank look in his eyes, "You don't know, do you?"

He shrugged and met her gaze, "Do you?"

"... No…"

"Then we're in the same boat, printsessa."

"Doesn't that bother you?"

"I don't mind sharing a boat with you."

Lumine's cheeks went pink, a shade that barely revealed itself in the golden glow of the lanterns. His heart skipped a beat. She turned away before he could get lost in the look on her face. "You know, if I were in your shoes, I'd want to know why I'm doing the things I do."

Hedidknow, to an extent. He sat down on the staircase, resting his arms across his knees and resting his chin on his wrist, staring at the doors. Outside of the hotel walls, Liyue ebbed and flowed with the sound of activity. This city shined at night, it was when it's true colors came out. Both Childe and Lumine stuck out like sore thumbs amongst the city.

"She wants a perfect world," he began to explain as the traveler sat on the steps beside him, "and I'm willing to commit evils to… defeat a bigger evil, I suppose."

"And… what's the bigger evil?"

"You know what? I'm not really sure."

Lumine stared at him as if he was dumb, but the look was conflicted. He watched her face go from annoyed disbelief, to a softer expression that he could not read at all. Her brows furrowed and her lips thinned as she thought, gazing warily. Whatever went through her mind, he had no idea. That was yet another frustrating thing about Lumine, her wide array of emotions were endlessly confusing.

Finally, after the seconds of thoughtful silence, she spoke, "I never would've taken you for someone to care about the greater good of the world."

He got that a lot. Sitting up, he grinned, "I've got a family, you know. They have to live in this world too."

"Y-You have a family?" It was a shocked gasp. She scooted away from him, "You're married?"

"What? N-"

"You kissed me," she covered her mouth with her hands as if she was about to vomit, "and you'remarried? You have kids? Just how old are you anyway?"

To think that for a moment he believed her to not be as oblivious as he originally thought. Reality had a way of smacking him in the face - or perhaps Lumine was messing with him, he was never quite sure. Bewildered, he twisted to look at her, her eyes wide with comical shock. "I'm 22, and I'm not married. When I say family I mean my brothers and sisters, smartypants."

Sweet relief, it was like a flood. "Oh, yeah, I knew that."

Sure she did. He smirked, "And I thought we never kissed."

"You're right. We didn't." Lumine stood and dusted her dress off, "And Ialsodid not accept your generous offer of a room for the night. I miss sleeping under the stars," she looked at the doors at the head of the lobby, "plus, weareenemies, you know."

"I thought we were friends?"

"Hm… Frenemies."

She was a riot. "Come on, Lumi, you know that's not accurate."

"You're right," she put a finger to her chin in thought, "you're attracted to me despite having a soulmate-"

Attracted to her? She had to be messing with him. He stood from his spot, fingers tensing as he hid them in his pockets, attempting to look casual. "Who says I'm attracted to you?"

"You did," a sly smile. She was positively evil sometimes, "by making out with me."

"I was frustrated, and-"

"Don't interrupt," her laugh glued him into place, "we're not frenemies at all. You're obviously in love with me, andIam obviously far above such things."

Childe decided, in that moment, that he would pointedly ignore the 'obviously in love with me' part. Simply because it was not true. It wasso untruethat it was bewildering. A thought as idiotically dishonest should not even exist in the first place. It was a crime to humanity.

"So," he stepped towards her, his arms crossed and lips turned into a challenging smile, "you're above things like that? If I remember correctly, you kissed back."

Lumine faltered, "Out of pity!"

"And," he held up his pinky, "we made a promise to never talk about that again. In Snezhnaya there's a saying about breaking pinky promises."

She raised a skeptical brow, "And what is that?"

"You make a pinkie promise, you keep it all your life," he curled his finger around hers again, "You break a pinkie promise, I throw you on the ice. The cold will kill the pinkie that once betrayed your friend, the frost will freeze your tongue off so you never lie again."

A pregnant pause. Her eyes widened, "That's a bit… macabre. I mean, I like it, don't get me wrong, but…"

"And because you're my friend, business partner, frenemy, competitor, and mildly attractive woman-"

"You think I'm mildly attractive?"

So much more than that. He ignored her interruption, "I'll forgive you for lying, there'll be no tongues frozen off tonight."

"Oh," her gaze flattened, "splendid."

"I mean… unless you want that."

She stared at him as if he was trash on the sidewalk, "Are you coming onto me?"

Sort of. Probably not. He was never quite sure what his brain was doing around her. He could hardly resist the constant word vomit coming from his mouth in her presence. It was as if he could not think before he spoke, running on adrenaline and instinct - yet another reason why she was too dangerous to keep around.

Sighing, he took another step on the stairs, "I'm not sure how that would be a come on, but if that's what floats your boat then I won't judge. There's this kink called ice play, it's where you-"

"Goodnight, Childe.This conversation is over."

"Goodnight, my printsessa." A laugh, and a glimmer of something akin to excitement forming in his stomach. Yet another feeling to completely ignore and repress, he'd add it to the list.

Lumine frowned heavily, "Your soulmate's going to get jealous if you keep calling me that."

If only she knew. He shot her a look over his shoulder, "She'll be fine, don't worry about it… Night, Lumi."

She was serious about sleeping outside. He was almost tempted to join her, the sky was beautiful at night, and he found himself stifled by a hotel room as well. But to join her would be risking yetanotherbroken pinkie promise. And he could not have that.

Lumine smiled and turned away, her hands behind her back. He watched her open the doors, jog down the street and around the corner. Paimon popped back into existence at her shoulder, and the sound of her high pitched yells echoed down to his ears. He could not tell what the pixie was yelling about, but it was moments like those that reminded Childe of the complete oddity that was Lumine. She was a black sheep, like him, but still living a life so different from his.

Childe walked up the stairs to his room. He opened the door and slammed it shut, promptly falling into his bed face first. As if he was 15 again, he buried his face and his pillow and screamed.

He kissed her. He kissed the traveler.Whydid he kiss her?

The thought ran through his mind over and over. It repeated itself, a chorus of whys that would not leave him alone. With a muffled groan into the pillow, he pulled the mask from his hair and tossed it aside - he could hardly think about anything other than the fact that hekissed her.

That was his first kiss. She was the first woman he'd ever been attracted to in that way. She was his literal soulmate - and she had no idea. He'd probably have to fight her for the gnosis at some point. He'd have to betray her trust. Life would be so much easier if she just did what he wanted and went to Mondstadt with Huffman.

This second pinkie promise had to be seen through. He could not allow it to break. Neither he, nor Lumine, should ever mention, think about, or breath of the kiss again. Itneverhappened.

Just one more muffled scream into his pillow, and he would let it rest. He could lay down and fall asleep and forget about the night with Lumine, her words and her eyes, her lips and her skin and her scent - he had to forgetall of it.

Tomorrow, they will be competitors. They will be two people vying for the same goal, and they willnotbe kissingeveragain.

If only Childe's heart did not betray him at every twist and turn.

He slept lightly that night, with no dreams to bother him. He awoke refreshed and determined. His breakfast was light, with green tea - which was disgusting on the tongue, but when in Liyue, he thought, he mighttryto do as the locals did - and he did his morning training. He met some recruits in a field outside of the harbor. He thought of Lumine and wherever she slept that night - then killed a mitachurl in an attempt to let out some pent up stress.

Overall, it was a very good morning. Lumine was only his mind about every 10 minutes, which was a new record.

The meeting with Zhongli was scheduled for lunch time, when the restaurants would be filled with people. It was customary in Liyue to have a meeting over food, and to discuss business in low tones underneath the hum of the crowd. Childe found that he enjoyed that custom, even if he had to force himself to use chopsticks just to be polite.

As the hour neared, his excitement rose. This would be the time, finally, when he would see Lumine that day. It felt as if he'd seen her every day for the past three weeks or so, which was an incredibly frustrating revelation. Everytime he attempted to rip her out of his life, she indented herself even more, like a handprint in concrete.

And he could hardly believe himself, who he was becoming. He actuallycaredabout how he looked today.

"Ekaterina…" Childe attempted to sound disattached, distant, entirely too uncaring about anything in this worldly realm, "I have a question."

She looked up from her papers and blinked. The mask covered her face, but he could see the curiosity gleaming in her eyes. Nobody hardly expected the receptionist to be the most gossip-mongering Sneznhayan in the city, but Childe knew better. Ekaterina had opinions on everything she knew.

It was, perhaps, why he felt he should ask her, he knew he'd get an honest answer. "How do I look?"

The receptionist blanked.

Childe stared. It was as if he was standing under a waterfall of regret. He froze, leaning on the counter and staring at a spot on the wall. His fingers clenched into a fist as he took a deep breath to steady himself.

Whydid he ask that? He felt that he was beginning to lose his touch, saying these asinine things without thinking of how stupid they made him look. Ekaterina cleared her throat and pursed her lips. She resisted the urge to laugh, covering her mouth with a hand, "You, uh… would you like an honest answer?"

Yes. And no. He would like to turn back time and never ask that question. Sighing, he gave in, "Yes, please."

"Okay, well…" she grimaced, "for starters…"

"Just say it." Rip the bandage off. He could not take the words back no matter how ardently he wished to.

"Well, your hair is a rats nest, Master Childe."

"...Oh."

"And your outfit is sloppy."

"It's… my uniform…"

"Andyou look tired."

"...But I got enough sleep..."

Ekaterina huffed like an irritated mother, "Do youeverbrush your hair?"

No, not normally. Pulling away from the counter, he attempted to contain the frown growing on his face. He didn't think he was that bad, or that he'd even care that much, "That's enough, thank you."

She stared at him as if he was a filthy little street kid. Catching herself, she turned away and busied her hands with random papers and files. It was a wise move, to act as if she'd never said anything.

But perhaps she was right. His mother and two sisters often told him the same thing. "So," acting casual once more, he tapped his fingers on the counter, "let's just say that I'm doing something important today, what would I do to look more presentable?"

"Maybe…" she sent him a wary look, "brush your hair back, fix the scarf," it was incredibly lopsided, "make sure there's no mud on your shoes," they were pretty dirty, "roll up your sleeves. Uh… button up your jacket correctly?"

Childe looked down. She was correct, he'd buttoned it wrong. He was so distracted this morning - thinking of the upcoming lunch with Lumine - that he'd gotten dressed in an absolute haze. He sighed and smoothed his collar, fixed his buttons, frowning at nothing the entire time. His cheeks felt warm as he ran his hands through his hair and ignored Ekaterina's lingering eyes. She had that romantic gleam again, as if her mind was on Lumine as well.

Childe knew that he should not care about such things. He knew that how his hair looked didn't matter in the end, he'd have the gnosis no matter how much mud was on his boots. But he could not ignore the swirling nervousness in his stomach.

He retreated to his upstairs office in an attempt to escape Ekaterina's obvious excitement. Brushing his hair back and staring at his reflection in the mirror, he could not help but glare. Weak. He was turning weak just for one silly girl that he'd have to betray in the end.

Angry, he ruffled his hair so it stuck up with wild abandon, looking worse than when he started.

"Get it together," an angry murmur, "it's just Lumine. She's not anything special."

Nothing special. The traveler and hero of Mondstadt was just a simple human being, and had absolutely no sway over him.

Thatis what made her appearance today an absolute crime.

After the outfit and mirror fiasco, Childe left the bank to wait at the pavilion, leaning against a wall with his arms crossed over his chest. Nobody paid him any mind as they passed. Zhongli waited inside the restaurant for the meeting to begin. Through the crowd, a slip of white caught his eye, and his heart betrayed him once more.

It was beginning to get annoying, how he felt every time he caught sight of Lumine. Blonde hair, long tendrils in the front of her face curled naturally into ringlets. Paimon buzzed around her shoulders and glared at the passing crowd. Below her, was Lumine, who glued him into place with the smile on her lips.

Just as she did the other week, she pointed at from across the street and yelled, "Childe!"

Was she as drunk as the week before? She lacked the stumbling, and the red cheeks. Her appearance was a crime for the simple fact that she was beautiful no matter what.Andshe looked as if she rolled out of bed, fell off a mountain, and got into several fights along the way.

She was glorious.

"Am I late?" Lumine approached him with a worried frown. There was a smudge of dirt on her cheek, and far more mud caked to her boots than his. Her hair was tangled and messy, her eyes wide.

She came to a halt in front of him. He looked her up and down, soaking in the sight. "And Ekaterina thoughtIlooked like a ragamuffin."

"Ragamuffin?" Lumine raised a brow, "I guess you kind of do."

"Well it warms my heart to see someone looking much worse."

Paimon huffed and crossed her arms, "Paimon thinks both of you are rude to show up to a business meeting looking like that!"

Childe laughed, "If you think we're rude, you should take a look at yourself. You're covered in crumbs, pixie."

"Paimon doesn't have crumbs!"

Lumine grimaced, "You actually do…"

Above her, Paimon gasped and frantically wiped at the crumbs covering her cheeks, "Why does nobody tell Paimon these things?"

"Calm down," Lumine laughed as she followed Childe through the restaurant doors, "I'm sure Mister Zhongli is human too, he's got to be just as imperfect as us."

She spoke far too soon. Childe had at leasttriedto look presentable, having met Zhongli the night before and knowing what to expect. Lumine had not been able to speak to him to that extent, so she had no idea that Zhongli was, unfortunately, quite perfect.

Childe kept his cool as he turned the corner and raised a hand in greeting. The funeral consultant perked up and smiled, his eyes flickering from the Harbinger, to the utterly messy traveler and pixie following behind. Lumine froze, and gasped. Paimon frantically brushed her crumb covered face. "O-Oh, I apologize for looking so sloppy," she forced a smile, "I should've put on something nicer."

Childe took a chair and glanced over his shoulder with an innocent smile, "Yeah, Lumi, we've got to be professional here."

Her gaze flattened, "You look just as bad."

Zhongli held up a hand. He had a smile that held little thought behind it, "No worries, I'm wearing my casual clothes today as well."

His casual outfit was a full suit, apparently. He looked as if he was going to a royal ball. Nervous, Lumine took the seat beside Childe and attempted to pat down her wild hair. The table was already set and ready for lunch. "Well, I'm just glad to be here," she forced an awkward laugh, "I got into a few fights along the way."

"Oh?" Zhongli leaned in, "Are you alright?"

The only thing hurt was her dignity. At Lumine's left, she caught Childe frowning down at the chopsticks beside his bowl. "Yes, I'm okay…" distracted, she looked at the Harbinger, noting his furrowed brows. He rarely looked like that, like a petulant child.

With the slight lull in the conversation, Lumine held the chopsticks between her fingers, attempting to show Childe the correct method. She leaned in to whisper, "Do you want me to order the ones made for kids? We can pretend they're for Paimon."

Zhongli would notice him using kiddie chopsticks nonetheless. He sighed, leaning in to whisper back, "I'm fine, I can figure it out."

"But can you?"

"Yes, Lumi, I can. I'm a master of every weapon I've ever touched. I cannot be defeated by a dinner utensil."

She stifled a quiet laugh, "Are you sure about that?"

An impatient sigh and a grimace, "Yes, lyubimaya."

"Don't insult me in Snezhnayan!"

Zhongli watched the exchange of heated whispers with an unreadable expression. He did not need perfect hearing to make out the argument between the two. Taking a calm sip of his tea, and clearing his throat, he dropped the bomb, "How long have you two been together?"

It was a perfectly normal question. The Harbinger and the traveler should not have reacted in the way they did. That was the kind of questioneverybodyasked couples. With incessant whispering at the dinner table, it was natural for Zhongli to assume there was something between them.

"What?" Lumine gasped and covered her mouth, "t-that's… No!"

That wasno, it was all she could think of. Zhongli continued to stare blankly. It was how they were touching in whatever way they could, how their shoulders brushed against each other, their chairs pushed closely together. The Harbinger had leaned in to whisper so comfortably, as if he was familiar with having no room left between them. Childe was the first to recover from his shock, "Oh. Oh, no, goodness," he and Lumine both laughed awkwardly and shared a look, "She's not my type."

A pregnant pause. Tension flooded the room so much that Zhongli flinched at nothing in particular. Slowly, Lumine turned to face the Harbinger, "Excuse me, but… that wasn't how you felt last night."

He glared. She was pushing his buttons again, she knew exactly what to do. "Lumine," there was poison in his saccharine tone, "I thought we talked about this."

"I'll kill you, Harbinger." Another harsh whisper, "You know I will."

It was the aftershock of the explosion, still reverberating through the air. With a tense smile, Childe leaned towards her, "Do you even have a brain in that pretty head of yours?"

"Oh, so you think I'mprettynow?! I thought I wasn't your type!"

Paimon floated to Zhongli's side and pulled at his sleeve, "E-Excuse them, they're… a little insane."

"Ah yes," he put his hand to his chin in thought, "I recall the days of my youth, love truly is complicated."

It was, elbows, punches and shoves included. The argument erupted into Childe desperately trying to put a hand over Lumine's mouth, as she attempted to elbow his waist and knock the breath from his lungs. His chair tipped as he leaned forward further and fought against her hands. "Just be quiet for a minute!"

"No!" She squealed, gripping his wrists, "Let me be me!"

"You just need to be quiet, Lumi!"

"Youjust need to let me deal with this!"

"No, youjust need to trust me!"

"Never!"

Zhongli cleared his throat, "I apologize for interrupting, but-"

"You're a dirty little trash goblin, and you kiss like a walrus!" Lumine now.

Childe gasped, "Youkiss like a frog!"

Paimon gasped, "K-Kiss?!"

Childe, finally, managed to wrap his arm around her shoulders and clamp his hand over her mouth. She struggled underneath him, while the Harbinger sent the most innocent of smiles possible, "Excuse her, she's from Mondstadt," he explained to Zhongli, "drunk all the time, you know how it is."

The funeral consultant nodded heavily, as if he trulydidknow how it was. Liyue was no stranger to dramatics and odd business meetings. He set his chopsticks beside his bowl as Lumine writhed and wiggled between him and Childe, held down by the Harbinger's hands. Ignoring her, he took a deep sigh, as if the chaos was nonexistent. "There is much to discuss concerning the funeral proceedings, it has been a very long time since a ritual like this has been carried out."

Lumine froze, her lips covered, and her eyes wide. Underneath Childe's palm, she asked a muffled question. Zhongli raised a brow in confusion, "I don't quite understand, I apologize."

As if just realizing the position they were in, Childe yanked his hand away, releasing her. In an attempt to save face, he leaned on the table and smiled, "I assure you, the Fatui are completely competent in matters such as these. The inclusion of the traveler is a simple wrench thrown into our diplomatic-"

"Shush," Lumine shot him a look, interrupting his soliloquy, "don't try to butter him up. You're just as incompetent as I am."

"Lumine, youknow-"

Zhongli interrupted with a sigh, "What was your question?"

"Oh," she stiffened, "Yes, I was just wondering who you'd prefer to help with the proceedings?"

Zhongli sent them a look, "I truly do not care which one of you carries out the proceedings, as long as it is done properly. My priority is following Liyue tradition, and showing respect to the fallen Archon."He was like a father rowdy children down with one flick of his hand. He had the air of an elder who knewfar morethan two kids who sat with him. Even Paimon crossed her arms and glared.

Childe picked up his chopsticks and attempted to regain his dignity, "Of course, and I'm happy to be a financial sponsor for this."

"And I," Lumine folded her hands in her lap and offered a demure smile, "am very happy to do whatever you need, Mister Zhongli."

"Wonderful," he put his hands together, "there is much to do, I'll walk you through each step as well. This is a very important event," he nodded gravely, "the Qixing have not shown the proper respect so far, thus it falls to us."

Itwasquite odd that the city returned to it's regular pace with the death of it's Archon. Liyue was so connected with Rex Lapis that it shocked Lumine to not see any sign of mourning. Upon talking with the locals, she realized that everyone was mostly confused, terrified, and had no idea of what to do next. Yet, shops stayed open, children still played, and the streets continued to bustle. The anemo Archon had been stabbedonceand she was already out for blood.

She and Childe shared a look, before returning their gazes to Zhongli. The funeral consultant took another calm sip of tea, and exhaled slowly, "If you do not mind, I would like to start as soon as possible. Perhaps…" his gaze leveled onto Lumine, "in an hour, or so?"

An hour, that would be enough time to look less sloppy. She sent Childe a mocking smile before turning back to Zhongli, "Yes, of course, I'll do whatever you need."

"Wonderful," he stood from the table and wiped his hands on a napkin, "I will see you then, perhaps outside of this restaurant?"

"Yes, that'll be fine Mister Zhongli."

With a polite bow, he pushed his chair in and left the room. Childe and Lumine listened to the sound of his footsteps fade as he closed the door behind him. Paimon floated across the table with wide, shocked eyes.

"That was… the worst meeting Paimon's ever seen!"

"Oh yeah?" Lumine crossed her arms and glared, "Just how many business meetings have you been a part of?"

"T-That doesn't matter!"

Childe put his elbow on the table and frowned, "She's right, though, it was terrible. Jeez… I hope everything still works out."

"It will," Lumine rolled her eyes, "just trust me."

His gaze flattened, "Trust you?"

"Yeah," a casual shrug, "I'll find out a way to make sure we both win by the end of this."

With a sigh, he closed his eyes as if to shut out his problems, "How, girlie? You'll split the gnosis in half?"

"If I have to. You know I don't like losing people." She said it with such conviction, such determination. He opened his eyes to appraise her, taken aback by the furrowed brows and set frown. Lumine didn't like losing people. He could only wonder how he became one of herpeople. "I'll do whatever it takes."

And she was so stupidly optimistic. He could not help but smile at the childish naivety of it all. "I don't think there's anything you can do, there's only one gnosis. And you know I won't back down, so that just leaves you…"

The idea snuck into his mind like an unwanted parasite. It took it's home in his brain, delving into his thoughts and forcing its way to the front of his attention. He dwelled for a moment in uncomfortable silence - besides the sound of Paimon devouring the leftover food - and considered the new flash of light on the horizon.

So, that just left her. Huffman didn't work, the other guy didn't work, and she wouldn't listen to a word he said. But his options had not run dry just yet. "You could just join the Fatui. We'd help you find your brother faster."

Lumine was in obvious shock and horror at the suggestion. She scooted away, hands gripping the back of her chair as she stared at him. "J-Join the Fatui…?"

"Yep, then we can kiss all the tim-"

The sound of Paimon coughing on her meat interrupted, "K-Kiss? So you twodidkiss?!"

"No!"

Childe ignored her, "We did, and we can do it much more if you joine-"

"We made a pinkie promise to never talk about that!"

"I have the power and authority to dissolve pinkie promises."

Taken aback, Lumine gasped, "No you don't! Nobody does!"

Hedid. "Lumi, if you joined the Fatui then we both could win. It's that simple."

"Why do I have to join the Fatui?" She put a hand to her chest and shook her head, bewildered. He had to know better than to suggest such things, especially after all she'd seen the Fatui do. He could not be so blind to his organization's actions. "Why can't you quit?"

His smile blanked as if he was truly confused, "Why would I do that?"

"So we can both win!"

"That's not winning."

"Yes it is!"

"I can't get stronger without them."

"Come on," she slipped her hands into his and leaned in, eyes wide and lips parted. His breath caught in his throat as the scent of lavender took over his senses. Lumine was so close - Paimon was gagging in disgust on the other side of the table - and she was so warm, she was like the sun itself. Her voice was soft as she whispered, "Childe, you're better than this."

The spell broke with her words. His gaze flattened in confusion, "What makes you think that?"

"You're willing to help me find my brother…" She squeezed his hands, "You're smart, and kind, and you have morals, I know you do."

She was so wrong. She was so incredibly wrong that it hurt. It was another opportune moment to repress every feeling he'd ever felt. With a smile, he tilted his head mockingly, "Lumi, I think you're falling in love with me."

"Not in the least," her gaze did not break for even a second, "but we are friends, in some weird way. And I know you can do better than the Fatui."

Lumine simply didn't understand. Her life was so simple, traveling and getting lost, fighting monsters and laughing at the dumbest of jokes. She didn't seem to have goals, other than finding her brother. She simply lived, she did what she wanted, and that was what made her so uncomplicated. It was the complete opposite of him.

Childe supposed it was time for an explanation. He hardly realized that they were still holding hands as he spoke, "I became a Harbinger because I want to be the strongest person in the world, the Fatui and Tsaritsa are simply stepping stones towards an ultimate end."

"So," she tilted her head, doe-eyes flashing in curiosity, "do you even care about the Fatui and it's ideology?"

Somewhat. It was a complicated feeling. He cared for the Tsaritsa and her future, truly believing in her vision, but he did not care for the needless slaughter the Fatui carried out. His lust for battle did not extend to political murders, destroying lives, or bullying others.

Childe just wanted to fight something. He just wanted to be the strongest, and the Fatui offered that opportunity. Lumine wouldn't understand. He pulled his hands away from hers and stood, sighing and ignoring the death glares from Paimon. Lumine frowned, though he avoided the look on her face - the sadness in her eyes would tear him apart in seconds. "I've got to go, I'll meet you with Zhongli later."

Lumine was not stupid. She knew what he meant. He had zero interest in continuing the conversation, "Fine then, I'll see you later."

Childe faltered for a moment, opening his mouth as if he wanted to say more, but shutting it quickly enough. Turning the corner and leaving her line of sight, he shut the door behind him. Silence settled back over the room like a too-warm blanket, and Lumine stared at her food with a sudden lack of appetite.

"So," Paimon cleared her throat, "Did Lumi really…kissthat loser?"

Hekissedher- ignoring the fact that she did kiss back. "We were in an argument last night, things got a little heated and it just… I don't know, happened."

"Gross." Paimon wrinkled her nose in disgust. Lumine could not help but agree. She swallowed another bite of meat before setting the skewer down, her face covered in food, but her eyes wide and serious, "Do you really think you canbothwin?"

No, but she'd find a way, if only out of spite. Childe insisted that there was no possibility of a compromise between them, making her want to find that compromise even more. Something would come up, there was always something, another way out. And she would discover it.

"I guess we should stop loitering," she caught the eye of a waiter coming around the corner, "and I suppose I should make an attempt to look nicer."

Paimon put up a hand, "Let Paimon just finish this one last bite."

"Hurry it up at least!"

"Lumi can't rush art…"

Art, the pixie says. Lumine stood from her chair and sighed. It was her first ever business meeting in Liyue and she'd found some way to make herself look dumb. Aether would never let anything like that happen, he was actually good with people, unlike her.

She left the restaurant dazed and distracted, Paimon following while holding two full meat skewers. With frustration rising in her chest, she found her cursing Childe's name under her breath - whatever his real name was, she assumed it was something stupid and embarrassing. "He's just trying to piss me off," she informed Paimon, "if he would just get out of the way and let me do my thing, we wouldn't be having any problems, and I wouldn't have to figure out this thing about the gnosis!"

The pixie hummed at her shoulder, "When has life ever worked like that? Paimon is sure the Harbinger thinks the same thing about you…"

Lumine hated it when Paimon was right.

"I guess as much as I insist that we're friends, he's still going to be my enemy." She crossed her arms in thought and scanned the market square, absently running her eyes over each person meandering about. Lumine wasn't sure who or what she was looking for, just something to take Childe off her mind for half a second.

"Why does Lumine even want to be his friend in the first place?"

It was a good question, and not one so easily answered. She recalled her first impression of Childe, a guy who talked about Archons wearing silly hats, who irritated her by trying to save her. He could be mean, he could be funny, snarky, silly, incredibly intelligent, and incredibly polite when he desired to. He was entirely too confusing. She sighed in thought and walked down the street, fingers laced behind her back, "I don't know. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I'd trust him with my life or anything, but it's hard to keep my walls up when he's… like that."

"Like that?" Paimon raised a brow.

"Likethat," Lumine wasn't sure what she was gesturing to, or what direction her thoughts were going, "you know… He, uh… he just makes me smile sometimes, even when I'm frustrated. And it's like how anybody can get on your good side with food, I feel like if someone makes me laugh then it's completely over for me."

"Ah," Paimon crossed her arms and offered a grave nod, "Yes, Paimon remembers the pyro regisvine when it made a silly face. Lumi could hardly fight it afterwards."

"It looked like it had a mustache for a second! It was hilarious!"

"Well, that can't be theonlyreason Lumi's comfortable with the loser Harbinger…"

Of course not. Lumine wasn't dumb enough to trust justanybodywho made her smile. She sighed and leaned against a wall, crossing her arms over her chest as if she was holding herself together. "Truthfully, he reminds me of Aether. Just… just a little bit, in little ways here and there… But since we made out that would be super weird to say."

"Ugh, yeah. Super weird."

"But sometimes… that stubbornness and determination is a comfort..." she sighed and closed her eyes, "and there's something underneath all the annoying stuff that just… I don't know, I see something else there."

"...Like massive amounts of evil?"

"Probably."

"Well," Paimon huffed with her hands on her hips, "don't come crying to Paimon when he tries to kill you!"

There was far more truth to that jest than Lumine wanted to acknowledge. With a shiver trailing it's cold fingers down her spine, she avoided her companions eyes and looked foranything elseto distract her wandering mind. She believed in what she said earlier, she knew that Childe could do better, she knew he was capable of more than what the Fatui offered.

He couldn't possibly try to kill her. He loved battle, but he wasn't a murderer.

Lumine's eyes wandered across the pavilion, to the marketplace and the locals loitering around the staircases. Everything was red and brown and gold. The air smelled of spice and oil, mingling with the fresh sea salt from the harbor. As the afternoon was coming to its end, the size of the crowd increased and expanded, different voices filling the world around her.

It was one specific voice that stood out the most to Lumine's ears. It was loud, high pitched and bossy, not holding even the hint of a Liyue accent. Familiarity flickered in her chest as she stood up straight and scanned the area for any sight of its owner.

"Outrider Amber here! I'm looking for the honorary knight of- Excuse me, uh, hello? I'm looking for-Hey!"

Of course Amber would be taken aback by the bustle of Liyue. It was so different from the quiet of Monstadt. Everyone here had a contract to fulfill, a job to go to, business to make. Nothing about this city was lazy. Amber slid through the crowd and stopped for a moment to scan the market square with wide, curious eyes. "H-hello? Hi, I'm Outrider Amber of- oh, you're walking away, okay, fine. Be like that."

Lumine's chest erupted in excitement. Amber was here, Amber had come to visit. Without a warning, she pushed herself from the wall and took off into a run. With a few steps and a launch, she was tackling the knight with both arms wrapping tightly over her neck, "Amber! My goodness," Lumine pulled away with a gasp, "you're here! You're… why are you here?"

And why was she crying? Why were her eyes and nose red? Amber gasped and returned the hug with every ounce of strength she carried, burying her face into Lumine's shoulder. She swore she felt some warm snot drip from her nose onto her dress. "Y-You're alive! Huffman told me the news!"

"W-What news?"

"You're sick!" Amber pulled back from her shoulder and erupted into a barrage of angry tears, "How dare you not tell me? How dare you keep it a secret? You need to rest, Lumi, come back to Mondstadt this instant!"

Paimon gasped at her shoulder and floated back, as if shoved through the air. With wide, terrified eyes, she began to tear up as a mirror image of Amber, "L-Lumi's sick? Why didn't you tell Paimon?"

Because she wasn't sick, not as far as she knew. Dread began to swirl in her stomach like a murky swamp as she let Amber's cascade of commands rain over her head. Sick. She was sick, apparently, and Huffman had told her so.

Lumine stared. Amber frowned heavily, "Don't be so quiet! Explain yourself!"

"I…" how to explain something she didn't understand in the least, "I'm not sick. Why would Huffman tell you that?"

Matching confusion came to life on the Outrider's face, "He said you were about to die."

"I'm not… at least IthinkI'm not."

"H-he said," Amber rubbed furiously at her tears, "that some random guy found him in Mondstadt and told him to come to Liyue and see you before you died, because you had feelings for him, or something."

Lumine wasn't sure what was more embarrassing, that Huffman apparently only came to Liyue out of pity for a dying girl, or that every knight of Favonius now knew she had feelings for him. "I'm not really sure how to process all of this."

Amber stared at her as if she was speaking in tongues. "He took two weeks of time off to come see you before you died... I thought Kaeya and I were too late, but uh…"

But Lumine was not dying at all. Lumine looked as healthy and wild as ever. She glanced around for any sign of Kaeya, barely holding back the rising anger in her chest, "Well, sorry to disappoint. Did Huffman say who this guy was?"

"The guy that told him about your illness?"

"Yeah, him."

"No…" a thoughtful sigh. Her tears dried up as she frowned over Lumine's shoulder, crossing her arms, "Mister Diluc was pretty angry all day after Huffman left, though, but he wouldn't tell Jean a thing! He said, and I quote: 'let Lumine handle it. Your incompetent knights wouldn't be able to do anything about a Harbinger anyway.' You know how he is."

She did know how he was. She knew he'd be able to recognize a high level Fatui by just a glance.A Harbinger.

A Harbinger who told Huffman to come to Liyue and take her on a date.

A Harbinger who made up a fake illness that would make Huffman pity her enough to give her five seconds of his time.

The anger that flickered inside of her became a roaring bonfire. She clenched her fists, out of breath and mildly nauseous. Exhaling slowly, Lumine glared at the ground, "I'm going to murder Childe."

Amber watched with concerned eyes, "Uh, who?"

"Amber," Lumine gripped her shoulders, "where is Kaeya?"

"Oh," she lit up, "he ran off because he saw some suspicious guy doing, you know, suspicious things. So he was going to follow him around the city for a bit."

"Did this suspicious guy wear grey and have red hair?"

"I think so…"

Lumine's heart dropped into her stomach with dread. She stepped back and covered her mouth, "Oh Archon… Kaeya's going to kill him…"

"W-Who?"

"Childe! He's going to kill Childe beforeIcan!"

"What?"

"Amber," Lumine caught her with a serious gaze, "I need you to help me find Kaeya before he can stab the Harbinger. He'smykill, not anyone else's."

"I… uh, sure?"

"Great! Let's go!"

Kaeya found that he liked Liyue, it seemed to be built with eavesdropping in mind. Every alley had a corner to hide behind, every staircase was thick enough to take cover under, and there were crates and boxeseverywhere. Kaeya never had this easy of a time in Mondstadt.

"I just need to know," a sigh, laced with annoyance, "how will this turn out?"

He was happy he spotted the Harbinger through the crowd upon arrival to the harbor. Abandoning Amber at the market square, he followed the man to a quiet slum, though he could not help but wonder why a Fatui Harbinger was talking to an old woman in a back alley in the first place. Lumine rarely informed the knights of Favonius what she was doing, but he was aware of the ordeal with the gnosis. This Harbinger had to have the same goal, and the news of Rex Lapis's death had reached Mondstadt weeks ago.

The fact that this Fatuu was even involved was concerning. Lumine made friends far too easily. Kaeya stuck to the wall and inclined his ear to listen as the old woman laughed, "Master Childe, I cannot see such specific things."

He sighed, "But whatdoyou see? You saw Lumine and I's future, can you not give me a hint as to what will happen with my mission?"

Kaeya never would have thought that a Harbinger would go to a fortune teller. It was out of character for his type. The comment concerning Lumine caught his ear. He listened to the old woman hum in thought, "I'm sorry, truly I am. All I see are your constellations intertwined, and something about… a house of gold, and a great battle."

Intertwined constellations. What didthatmean?

Another frustrated sigh. The fortune teller held a smile in her voice as she went on, "I don't mean to irritate you, Master Tartaglia, but I must say that I'm happy you've accepted the truth."

"Well, when three adepti tell you that someone is your soulmate, it's a bit difficult to argue with."

Soulmate.

Kaeya smiled to himself. The Harbinger had a soulmate, and it did not take much wisdom to understand who it was.

This would be fun.

"Master Childe, there's not much I can help you with."

"You can't see anything about the gnosis?"

Kaeya was surprised that a Harbinger was talking so openly about his plans in this way. Usually his organization was as secretive as they could possibly be, but he could hear the stress in this man's voice. The old woman spoke slowly, softly, as if to her grandchild, "I can't, I'm sorry."

But shecouldsee his future with Lumine. As much as Kaeya would love to hear every detail of the Fatui's scheme, he'd have to make due with what was offered.

And it was finally his time to shine. With another sigh from the Harbinger and a soft apology from the fortune teller, Kaeya slipped from his spot around the corner and stood in full view. The woman's eyes widened, the Harbinger stiffened and fixed his posture.

Tense silence flooded over the trio. "Go," Childe whispered to the old lady, "I'll talk to you later."

There was no hint of a threat in his voice, nothing that raised red flags for the knight. The old woman seemed to be in no danger, though she scurried down the alleyway as if running from her doom. Slowly, tensely, the Harbinger turned around, "...Hi there."

"Heya. The name's Kaeya."

They appraised each other. The casual greetings were the complete opposite of the feeling in the air. Childe's eyes lingered on the vision at Kaeya's belt, accompanied with a grimace, "Cryo, huh? My favorite."

Kaeya laughed, "And you've got hydro,myfavorite."

"So, knight of Favonius," a bow established itself into Childe's right hand, surrounded by the familiar constellations of a summoning, "to what do I owe this honor?"

"Not so quick, my friend," a laugh and a wave of his hand, "we've got a lot to discuss."

"Do we?"

Kaeya could not help the bubbling joy in his throat. It was all too hilarious, a Fatui Harbinger beingLumine'ssoulmate. He wasn't sure who was more unfortunate in that situation. "I really pity the honorary knight, knowing what I know."

What he knew. The implication was obvious.

The tension between them snapped. With a glare that could kill, Childe let loose an arrow aimed for Kaeya's head. It was not his best shot, especially at short range, but he needed to at leastattemptto act on the anger raging through his veins. Kaeya dodged it as if he read Childe's mind. As he notched another summoned arrow and aimed it for the knight, he took a step back to create more room and give him the upper hand, "I don't know what you heard, but-"

"I heardeverything."

"You're going to forget it soon."

"Why?" Kaeya tilted his head, smirking wildly with his sword coming to life in his hand, "It's so very interesting, and useful to boot."

Another arrow let loose, swirling with water around the tip. If a hydro vision was powerful enough, a burst of water could rip through someone's skin in half a second. Kaeya blocked the arrow with his sword and took another side step to avoid the next attack.

Childe was loading summoned arrows with each passing second. He hardly had enough time to charge his vision before Kaeya took another step closer. With just one flick of his fingers, he tossed his bow aside in frustration and summoned his hydro blades, one for each hand.

Of course, it would not be very useful against a cryo user. Kaeya laughed and stretched his arm, "Cool it, kid."

Idiot. Childe felt like an absolute idiot, letting his anger and fear make the decisions. The blood in his veins froze as frost traveled up his swords and pricked at his arms, pinching each part of his revealed skin. He was careful to not allow any other parts of his body to get wet by association, so only his forearms and hands would be frozen. Even then, he could still move. "Oh, ice swords," stiffly, he held up the weapons, "that's nice. I've never used ice swords before."

Theywerevery cool. Kaeya admired his work for a moment - hardly anybody was determined enough to summon hydro weapons against a cryo user - before lunging at the Harbinger. He did not attack with the intent to kill, but to get a message through. His sword went for his neck, and was quickly parried and dodged. The anger in Childe's eyes betrayed his clouded mind. That was good, Kaeya wanted more of that distraction.

"Poor, poor Lumi," he spoke as they clashed weapons once more, the knight having the upper hand over the Harbinger's still frozen stiff fingers, "does she know? She should know."

Another slice of blades through the air. Childe whirred around and went for the heart, barely missing by Kaeya's teleport spell. He was into action in the next second, another aggressive attack meant to break the cryo user's guard. "I'll cut out your tongue before you can ever tell her."

"Why?" he laughed, "You afraid of rejection, Harbinger? Think she'll break your heart?"

Something along those lines. "You're really pushing it, I'd advise you to leave before I'm forced to kill you."

Kaeya took another step back, "Ohh, I'm terrified. Like I haven't heard that before."

"Don't tell Lumianything."

"She'sLuminow? Just how close are you two?"

It was unfortunate for Childe that the knight of Favonius was a professional irritation. When it came to the subject of Lumine, he found himself more thin-skinned than ever. Another lunge, another parry. He could hardly get his mind off the possibilities of this battle, what this knight would tell her and how his life would go afterwards.

Lumine could not know the truth. No matter what. Childe was not above silencing a loose tongue.

"I won't tell her if you…" A pause for anticipation. Kaeya was tasting the blackmail on his tongue, "Well, let me get back to you on that. I'll figure something fun out."

Enough was enough. Childe reached for his mask. The knight stopped, watching with interest. It was not often Childe got a chance to use his delusion, the sheer excitement of the action brought a smile to his face. "Do you really think you can blackmail a Harbinger?"

"I can try," Kaeya retorted cooly, "Are you gonna show me how that delusion works? I'm terribly curious."

Childe laughed and pulled the mask over his eyes. It was like returning home, activating the delusion pinned to his chest and filling his limbs with the familiar static of something he was never meant to have. "You're not really an opponent worthy of the use of my delusion, to be honest, but keeping Lumine ignorantis."

Kaeya remained unimpressed, "Why? Just get married and have 10 kids, problem dealt and done with."

"It's nine kids."

"...Huh?"

"We're having nine kids."

"Dear lord, man, you're in deep."

Childe struck. A bolt of lightning came from his hydro sword as he took hit after hit against Kaeya. Several of them were blocked, several of them made contact. Stepping back, he summoned a lance of pure electro and jabbed towards the knight's throat.

Kaeya could barely dodge. He knew that if not for his goading, the Harbinger would be far more focused on the battle. Behind the mask, he saw the anger clouding his eyes, the grimace and the curses under his breath. As frustrated as he was, he was still looking to silence him forever. Another hit, a quick change between lance and sword. Kaeya threw a sheet of ice that stopped the Harbinger in his tracks, enough time to knock him away. Yet, he was back into action as quickly as before, hydro now laced with electrical currents that sent shocks up Kaeya's spine with every hit.

How nobody had found them in the middle of Liyue having a battle, he wasn't quite sure. There was a Fatui Harbinger using his delusion in an alleyway against a knight of Favonius, that was front page news. But it seemed the people of Liyue were wise enough to stay out of the way.

Except for two young women that happened to run around the corner in a panic. Lumine had never been wise in her life. "Amber, do the thing!"

The thing. Childe vaguely registered Lumine's voice behind him, sending a jolt of panic through his veins. She could not see him like this, he would not allow it.

"Go, go, baron bunny!"

He froze. Baron bunny?

Kaeya was fortunate enough to know what that meant. Immediately, he pulled away from the battle and turned on his heel, raising a hand at the confused Harbinger behind him, "See ya!"

"See ya?" Childe stopped in his tracks and looked at the dancing puppet at his feet, "What's this?"

He looked up to see the knight of Favonius taking cover behind a set of crates. Behind him, an unfamiliar woman's voice caught his attention, "You might want to… uh…"

Want to dowhat?

The bunny began to shake it's butt. Still wearing the mask, he toed the puppet curiously. Electro ran through his veins as he watched the odd puppet dance at his feet, his mind clouded and confused. His reaction time was perfect in battle, but not when it came to dancing rabbits.

The sudden explosion knocked him into a wall, his head hitting stone and wood as his body was blown away. With a sharp whistle in his ears, Childe groaned and steadied himself on one knee, running his hands through his hair. Through the smoke and ringing, footsteps ran across his line of sight. Sothatwas why the annoying knight took cover.

With another groan and a sudden pounding headache at the top of his skull, he pushed his mask back up into his hair. He was not as weak as he would be when using the foul legacy transformation, but the delusion weighed his limbs down nonetheless. The familiar sound of Lumine's footsteps approached. She summoned her sword, lifting his chin with the tip. His sight was blurry, and his veins jolted with leftover electro, but he could see the outline of the angel before him. "Childe, I will murder you right here."

Sweet as always. He shut his eyes tightly, "Can you put that on hold, babe? I have a headache."

Lumine's sword disappeared in a flash of light. She knelt down in front of him and put a hesitant hand to his cheek, her eyes wide. Despite the migraine pounding in his skull, and the continuous ringing in his ears, he managed to return her look with a smile. Not a smile of mischief, or bitterness, or secrecy, but a genuine smile, as if he was laughing at his current state of being.

And he was, to an extent. He'd never been taken down by a dancing rabbit doll before. There's a first for everything.

"You're stupid," she whispered as she lifted his chin and inspected his face, "you told Huffman I was dying."

"Well," another strained laugh, "I had to get you out of the way somehow."

"Asshole."

"You're always so nice to me."

"Come on," Lumine shifted her weight so her arm could snake underneath his, holding him around his back and lifting his body off the ground. He was not so shaken that he could not stand, but he enjoyed the proximity they shared. It would not be so bad to fake a worse injury for the sake of feeling her body against his for longer, he'd lied about far worse in his life.

Lumine avoided Kaeya and Amber's wide eyes. The Outrider stared with a gaping mouth, "Why are you helping him? I thought you wanted to kill him!"

"They're in love." Kaeya explained casually.

Childe rested his cheek on the top of her head, "Yes, she's my cute little nurse."

"Shut up."

"So sweet, so loving."

This was the same man who tricked her, who was her enemy, hanging off her shoulder as if he could not walk at all. Paimon floated around with a glare, "Loser Harbinger? You're not hurt, are you?"

Lumine glanced at him. He was a bit ashy from the explosion, but his clothes had not even ripped. He most likely just had a headache, and a bit of leftover frost burn from Kaeya. Childe perked up with a grin, "You really think a dancing rabbit can defeat me?"

That was it. Her patience was far lower with him than usual. She pulled away, taking her spot at Amber's side and mirroring her pose of crossed arms and a glare. Paimon joined them, three sets of eyes now breaking Kaeya and Childe down in obvious disapproval.

Kaeya was far more comfortable under their gazes than Childe. He didn't like making people angry if he wasn't planning to fight them, it got in the way of diplomacy. And as much as he hated diplomacy, he hated making the Tsaritsa worry even more. Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair and straightened his mask just to have something to fidget with, "I'm sorry, Lumi, I shouldn't have tricked Huffman into going out with you."

She glared. Her eyes bore into him, furious and golden. He offered an apologetic smile - ignoring Kaeya's mutter of 'whipped' beside him - and watched as the anger dissolved from her lips. She sighed and gave up, uncrossing her arms, "Okay, I forgive you."

"What?" Paimon was pulling at her hair in an instant, abrupt chaos breaking the blanket of silence between the group. She kicked and pushed, hardly stopped by Lumine's frantic hands. "You can't just forgive him that easily! Be mad! Kill him! Do the feral thing! What iswrongwith you?"

Many things, but that was not important just then. As Lumine fought the pixie off, Amber and Kaeya stared at the Harbinger. Kaeya walked a circle around him, appraising him, while the heat of Amber's glare threatened to melt his life and soul.

If this man wanted to fight again, Childe would be up for that. He would have a far more clear head, then, and win so much more easily. Kaeya stopped in front of him with crossed arms and a lifted chin, his smile mocking, "We'll be good friends, won't we Childe?"

"Friends?" Amber blew up behind him, "With him?"

"Yeah. I even know his secrets, what's more friendly than that?"

Childe shrugged, "I don't know, I could cut out your tongue and feed it street dogs. That's pretty friendly."

"Tsk, so rude."

Lumine managed to toss the rabid Paimon aside. With wild hair finally free from tiny hands, she approached the knights and the Harbinger with wide eyes. She gasped for air and glared at the group, "Listen, this little fiasco has made me late for my meeting with Zhongli. I don't want to take all of you along," her eyes landed on Kaeya specifically, "so can I trust you guys to not kill each other while I'm gone?"

Childe was the first to answer. He wrapped an arm over her shoulder, pulling her close, "Sure, sure. I'll just go with you like we planned, and these two can take a long walk off a short pier."

"Childe."

"Sorry," he sighed in defeat, "Okay, I'll go with you, and they can… do whatever they came here to do."

Amber glared with fury, "We came here to see Lumine. You can't claim her."

"Actually," Kaeya grimaced jokingly, "he kind of can."

His eyes narrowed in warning. Kaeya tilted his chin up further and smiled, a challenge. As Childe's blood began to boil another dawning of battle, he and the knight locked gazes. "Goodness," Amber waved a disgusted hand over her face, "I can feel the murder coming off these two in waves."

With a grimace from Lumine, and an eye roll from a very frustrated Paimon, the traveler pulled back from under Childe's arm. He, immediately, missed the feeling of her body against his, but would not let it distract him from the stare down with Kaeya. This man knew his secret, he had no choice but to kill him.

Or, he could just go ahead and marry Lumine, start on those nine kids and live happily ever after. But that sounded incredibly droll.

She was having none of this tonight. With Paimon on one side, and Amber on the other, she huffed, "I'll go with Amber and update you later, Childe. I don't care if you two fight again," her eyes shifted between the men who were so shockingly similar, but so different, "but please don't kill each other."

"I'm afraid I can't promise that." Childe muttered.

"Sorry, Lumi," Kaeya followed with a chuckle, "whatever happens, happens."

She buried her face in her palm and groaned, "At least take it outside of town where nobody else can get hurt?"

Childe and Kaeya shared a look. With a tilt of the head, and a shrug of the shoulders, Childe finally smiled. "Deal. We'll kill each other outside of town."

"Wonderful, all my worries have disappeared…"

"Aw," he put his arm on top of her head again, "don't you trust me? I can take out this clown in a heartbeat."

"Kaeya, please kill him."

"With pleasure."

After a meeting with Zhongli, looking at noctilucous jade, and being entirely horrified by the man's lack of money skills, Amber and Lumine were finally done for the day.

The next goal: Dadaupa Gorge, and figuring out which jade was the best. Lumine was not looking forward to returning to Mondstadt - every inch of that place would remind her of Huffman.

Huffman, who didn't even like her in the first place. Huffman, who only came to see her because he thought she was dying.

She truly hoped that Kaeya killed Childe.

Lumine and Amber walked along the path to the hillside where the men fought. Evening stole away the light, covering the world in blue darkness. The bright moon overhead provided enough sight to follow the flashes of cryo and hydro in the distance. "It's been hours," Amber groaned, "how're they still fighting?"

Lumine watched another arc of ice rise into the air, freezing yet another hydro weapon. In the distance, a frustrated groan reached her ears as she recognized that Childe could not hardly use his vision without immediate retaliation. He probably adored the challenge of it all.

And somehow, neither of them had died so far. It was a miracle.

"Childe has… stamina, I guess you could say."

Amber cast her a horrified glance, "Excuse me?"

"I mean," her cheeks grew warm as she realized the implication, "he's really determined. He likes to battle."

"So tell me..." with her hands on her hips and a questioning look, Amber stopped in her tracks. Lumine knew that she could never hide much from the Outrider, even if she wasn't sure what she was hiding in the first place. "What is going on between you two?"

Lumine was sure she'd have war flashbacks of these conversations. First Zhongli, and now Amber. Paimon had attempted to chew her out several times in between as well. Lumine continued to not have an answer, "There's absolutely nothing going on between us."

Nothing at all besides kissing against a column at night, always touching each other, and wishing to spend each day together. Lumine hated the feeling, the weakness of it all. Huffman was so much more simple.

Amber eyed her suspiciously, "Okay, well… I believe you. If you say there's nothing, then there's nothing."

Wonderful. That was exactly why Lumine enjoyed her company. With a sigh of relief, she began walking up the hill to approach the ongoing fight, "Thank you. Let's see if we can get them to stop for dinner."

"Do you think they're getting along?"

"Splendidly, they're best friends, just look at them." Childe twisted in the air, and aimed for Kaeya's neck. Kaeya blocked, and aimed for his stomach. Ice and water covered every inch of their makeshift battleground.

"Why are they like this?" Amber buried her face into her palm, "Why can't you pick normal friends?"

"I didn't necessarilypickKaeya."

"But you pickedhim," she pointed to the grinning Harbinger, "are you sure you want him to come along?"

She was sure. Childe was far better at hunting than she was, and he happily took care of hilichurl camps, which meant less work for her. Aside from the obvious, she had her reasons. "I want to keep an eye on him while we travel. Who knows what he'll do when I'm not around?"

"I don't even want to think about that…"

"He's not that bad," Lumine nudged her side with a smile she hoped was reassuring, "you'll end up liking him, just watch."

Amber stared in disbelief, "He's a Fatui Harbinger."

"And I'm from a different world."

"Those are two different circumstances, Lu…"

They were. Perhaps it was how often Lumine had traveled, how many species and personalities she'd met, that made her so keen to be friends with everyone and everything. She could not deny the evil of the Fatui, but Childe as a person was entirely different. If she ignored his allies, he was just a man.

Amber had been so kind to believe Lumine's reassurance, it was a crime how quickly that went out the window. As the girls approached, Childe perked up, immediately to attention with every ounce of his gaze on Lumine. He raised a hand holding a hydro blade and grinned widely, "Printsessa! I'm so glad you're here!"

He was glad she was there. Amber shot her a look, the look, one that held every warning possible.

Lumine attempted to ignore it as Childe lifted his arms in excitement, "Lumi, watch this!"

Cute. He was cute. "Okay, I'm watching."

Kaeya groaned in frustration. Whatever Childe wanted to show her was not nearly as amusing to the knight. He frowned, looking exhausted, "Not again, I told you it looks stupid."

"It's not stupid, it's cool." Childe retorted. He readied himself with a deep breath, glanced at Lumine to make sure she was watching, and promptly summoned a whale.

A whale. An entire sea creature, glowing blue and silver and mystical in the moonlight as it flew into the air. With the most annoyed of gazes, Kaeya watched the summoning raise above his head, and drop onto his body. With a deafening splash and water droplets spreading across the land, Kaeya was soaking wet. His shirt and furs stuck to his body more than Lumine wanted to see.

She couldn't help but clap. How could shenotclap? The Oceanid had taught her many times that water could take any shape it desired, but she never thought that a human would be able to manipulate the water as well. She hoped Childe never dropped a whale onher.

He grinned, "Wanna see me do it again?"

She did, desperately so. Her heart skipped a beat as she took in the confidence in his eyes, the turn of his lips, the excitement on his cheeks. He was normal, then, he was her friend. "Yes, please!"

Amber huffed, "Hydro users are such show offs. I can probably summon something too, like… What's a thing that's on fire?"

"Well," she hummed in thought "Diluc uses a bird."

"Yeah, I'll summon a bird!"

Another whale, dropped on top of Kaeya, who simply allowed himself to be soaked, glaring daggers through the entire process. He looked like a drowned cat. Lumine wasn't sure what was funnier, Kaeya's expression of annoyance, or Childe summoning a sea animals on top of him.

"You know," Amber whispered, having given up in 0.02 seconds on the idea of bird summoning, "he lit up like a puppy when he saw you. If he had a tail, it would be wagging."

Lumine's joy dropped in half a second. She shot the outrider a sharp glare, "Animal people don't really do it for me."

"Iknowthere's something between you two," another whisper, a tight grasp on her arm and an excited smile, "I saw the way he looked at you earlier."

Lumine was not having it tonight. "That's just his face."

"Lumi," her voice held a warning, the excited smile falling into a look of pure concern, "you do understand how dangerous being close to a Fatui Harbinger is, right? He could… I don't know, convert you, or something. Or kill you."

Or kill her, that was more likely. It was not as if Lumine had not thought of these things before. The writing was on the wall where it concerned their odd friendship, if she could even call it that. It had always felt like something different than friendship, as if there was a layer underneath she had not yet seen. Amber was right, nonetheless, she was preaching to the choir.

With a soft smile, Lumine bumped her shoulder against her friend's, "I know, I'll be careful. Like I said earlier, there's absolutely nothing between us, anyway."

"Printsessa!" Childe broke away from the battle, his eyes wide and his hair wild, frost crawling up his arms where his sleeves were rolled up. He jogged to her, smiling as if she was his long lost love. Amber shot her yet another look that went pointedly ignored.

With his swords disappearing, he took Lumine's hands in his own, and raised them to his face. Kissing the knuckles of each, he sighed dreamily, "Isn't life beautiful?"

To reiterate an earlier thought of Lumine's from weeks ago: this man had to be a forest princess in disguise.

And it was wonderful. She couldn't help but smile, "Are you happy with your fight?"

He glanced over his shoulder at an exhausted Kaeya, laying on the ground and staring at the sky with his chest rising and falling. She'd never seen Kaeya so beaten before, so defeated, so covered in water from having several whales dropped on him. Childe's determination could carve down the hardest of stones. "I am, it was a nice little work out. Now," another soft kiss to her knuckles that absolutely exploded her heart and filled her with warmth. He gazed at her as he held her hand to his mouth, "let me take you to dinner to celebrate."

She could hardly speak. She could hardly move. She was glued into the place, not only by his eyes, but by Amber's fiery glare. So much for 'nothing between them'. Lumine wanted to melt on the spot from the feeling growing in her chest.

Stupid heart, and stupid butterflies, and stupid tendencies to fall in love at the drop of a hat. She had to resist. She had to deny the opportunity. It did not matter how blue his eyes were, or how he showed her more attention than anyone ever had. It didn't matter. Childe didnotmatter.

But obviously, she'd still let him take her to dinner. "A-Anything you want."

"That's what I like to hear," he smiled and wrapped an arm over Lumine's shoulder, sending a bored glance to a bewildered, glaring Amber behind him, "do you mind if I steal your friend for a bit? We have a lot to discuss."

"Lumi," Amber hissed, "don't fall for it! Be strong! Don't look into his eyes!"

Be strong. Be courageous, bold. Don't fall for his schemes, because Childedid notmatter. She lifted her chin, still underneath his arm, and avoided looking at him.

If only her heart would stop racing, that would certainly be nice. Aether would have a field day with how much she was denying herself. Be strong. She had to listen to Amber, shehadto be strong. "You can only take me to dinner if I get to pick the place."

Amber gasped in horror - Kaeya was laughing from his spot on the ground nearby. "That's not how you be strong!"

It was unfortunate how much the Outrider was getting ignored that night. Childe led Lumine down the hill, relishing in the feeling of her body so close to his. He would allow himself this, just for one more night. And then Kaeya and Amber could take her back to Mondstadt, and he could continue with his merry plans. "Anywhere you want, Lumi," he murmured, "I'm in a good mood tonight."

"Oh?" She raised a brow, "Did Kaeya kick your butt that hard?"

"Well, I finally perfected the whale thing, for starters."

"I'm so proud of you."

"Are you? That's sweet."

It wasn't. It was sarcasm. She hoped he never dropped a whale on her, that sounded absolutely awful.

The sound of the night time crickets filled the air. Wind blew against her cheeks as they walked, while Amber attempted to help Kaeya dry off from the various sea creature attacks. Childe and Lumine left them behind as they made their way back to the city in the distance.

The comfortable silence was broken by one thought. Lumine had not been able to get the subject of Huffman off her mind, her humiliation at the entire ordeal taking over each second of her life. She had been angry, earlier, but ultimately a bit grateful. It was better to rip the bandage off at once. If she had gone on a date with Huffman under normal circumstances, he'd still think she was emasculating nonetheless.

There was just one other thing lingering endlessly on the tip of her tongue. Finally alone with Childe for a moment, she would take this opportunity. "Hey, so when Huffman was here you said something."

His face was blank as he walked, staring straight ahead, "I say a lot of things."

"But," Lumine pulled herself out from under his arm - though it was a very comfortable and warm spot, "I don't understand what you meant, I've been thinking about it, and I just don't get it."

He glanced at her, "What did I say?"

He didn't seem concerned in the least. She supposed that was a good sign. "When we were dancing, you said something about it being a 'last hurrah'. And I don't really get what you mean."

Of course she didn't. Curse his running mouth, forever flowing like a waterfall. He frowned and looked away, crossing his arms as he continued down the path. What to say? To tell the truth and admit that he was not going to allow himself to be around her any longer would be to admit defeat. Obviously since he was with her right then, and almost every day since. He was an absolute loser.

Childe was not one to admit defeat easily. He huffed in thought, racking his brain for an answer, "I meant it like… uh, well some people can't be friends in a simple way, right?"

She huffed, "Well, I think they can."

"They can, but come on," he sent her a flat look, "sometimes it just doesn't work. And if you got with Huffman, then our friendship wouldn't be the same. Not that I'm complaining," he waved a casual hand, "I just think I wouldn't be able to do stuff like travel with you, or dance in the street with you, or-"

"Or kiss me against a column because we're angry at each other?"

He tensed at the thought. She broke the pinkie promise, though he found himself forgiving her almost immediately. "Yes, that too."

"I see," Lumine put her hand to her chin in thought, "well, Huffman didn't happen, so I'm yours to aggravate."

She was his. She washis. As tired as he was from the battle, another surge of energy filled his body. His cheeks warmed, his skin tingled, his knees felt weak. He felt like a school boy with a crush, and despised every second of it.

His tongue, as always, moved without thought. "You have no idea the effect you have on me."

Another curious tilt of her head, coupled with wide doe eyes. "What do you mean?" At the expression on her face, Childe felt himself wither away inside. He was losing again, for what felt like the millionth time. It was as if he never eventriedto repress any feelings.

"Nothing at all," a defeated sigh as he tossed his arm over her shoulder, "let's go get something to eat, my comrade."

Lumine shrugged the thought off with a hum. "Do you want to go to Dadaupa gorge with Zhongli and I?'

"Not in the least, but thanks."

"Willyou come to Dadaupa gorge with Zhongli and I?"

She was giving him that face again. He was tightly wrapped around her finger, moving along with every tiny idea she had. Kaeya was correct; he was absolutely whipped.

A heavy sigh. Defeat, once more. Despite his dread, the wasps of affection in his stomach returned.

"Sure, Lumi, anything you want."

Another road trip. That wasexactlywhat he needed to help repress all of his feelings.

Notes:

- Childe wasn't going full boss-battle on kaeya, he just wanted to practice dropping whales on some poor soul. Kaeya was not amused.

- I also love the idea that Childe's hydro swords get frozen and he's just like oh. cool. ice swords!

- Another roadtrip!

- Lumine has... the dokis... 3

- Kaeya will most definitely hold the soulmate thing over Childe's head

Thanks for reading!

Chapter 8: The Calm Before The Storm

Chapter Text

A cross country roadtrip with two knights of Favonius, one honorary knight, a Fatui Harbinger, and a funeral parlor consultant went exactly as one might expect it to.

Absolute chaos, sprinkled with confusion, and topped with a side of competition. The main event of the group just happened to be Childe and Lumine, who nonconsciously terrorized everybody in their was the tension. The fraying rope between them that threatened to snap with every glance, every touch, every argument. And there were many of those. They'd only been on the road for several hours, and Amber already had enough.

"Hey, hey! You two," Amber's hands were between Childe and Lumine, pushing them apart as if she was prying open jail cell bars. She gasped and stood in between them, "Leave some room for Barbatos!"

"Amber…" Lumine gave her a serious look of concern. She and Childe simply brushed hands for a moment, nothing more and nothing less. Lumine had shared blankets with Amber before, but she had never acted so prudely, "Venti isn't here… and if he was, why would we leave room specifically between us for him? I don't think he'd care where he walks."

Childe put a thoughtful hand to his chin, "I believe it's a common saying in Mondstadt. To leave room for Barbatos means that you're staying holy by not touching someone all lewdly."

But they werenottouching all lewdly. Amber's cheeks turned pink as she stumbled and tottered over her explanation, entirely ignored by the traveler and Harbinger - who were far more comfortable on the subject of lewd touching than the Outrider, it seemed. "I don't think Venti would care about that either," Lumine thought aloud, "he's not very holy himself…"

"Shut up! Don't talk about lewd touching so openly!"

"Amber, nobody's touching each other anyway."

Childe laughed, "Seems that the Outrider's mind is in the gutter."

"Shut up! You two are just walking so closely," she grimaced in disgust, Paimon floating at her shoulder, "Right? I can't be the only one seeing that!"

Paimon gave a grave nod, like a wise old woman, "It's like you two really want to hug. Or… e-even…"

Lumine blanked, "Fight each other?"

"That sounds nice," Childe sighed dreamily, "do you want to after we set up camp tonight?"

"Yes please!"

That was, obviously, not what Paimon and Amber were thinking. Lumine and Childe tended to walk so closely, finding ways to touch wherever and whenever they could, though neither of them seemed to realize it. To the Harbinger and traveler, ignorance was bliss. They shared a glance of confusion before shrugging. Amber and Paimon had been trying to separate them since the journey began.

Kaeya, on the other hand, was entirelytooamused by the show. He seemed to be the only one that could find the humor in Paimon and Amber's frantic attempts to create a wall between them. He and Zhongli walked beside each other, watching as Childe put his hand on Lumine's back to keep her from tripping over an unseen rock, and seeing Amber throw baron bunny at him - he simply kicked it back towards her in return. This happened every 10 minutes, it seemed. When Childe told Lumine something mildly funny, Amber yelled at him for flirting. When Childe so much asglancedat Lumine with a hint of interest in his eyes, Amber attempted to kick him in the back of his knees. When Childebreathed, Amber drew her bow.

Now, she stood between them, demanding to occupy the space between their bodies. Neither Childe, nor Lumine, cared outwardly about where Amber walked. The fact that they gravitated towards each other continued to go unnoticed, unacknowledged in ardent denial. It was time to get serious about repressing feelings, with Lumine's heart skipping a beat at the sight of Childe's smile, and Childe feeling like he could take on the world every time she gave him an ounce of her attention. Amber was, oddly enough, the only one to publically acknowledge this.

Kaeya and Zhongli walked behind the trio, followed by a glaring Paimon, her eyes like daggers on the Harbinger ahead. She was the only one out of the group who could disappear at will, a skill Zhongli found himself jealous of.

"Do you think…" Zhongli murmured with a hand to his chin, his voice loud enough for only Kaeya to hear, "that Amber doesn't approve of Childe? I cannot understand why that is. It's not as if he doesn't have mora…"

Theotheramusement provided during the journey was Zhongli himself. When Amber wasn't screeching out bossy commands, Zhongli was making the mostdarlingof observations about the world. He knew so much about so many things, but so little in the way of street smarts. It was the complete opposite of Kaeya. "You're not the sharpest tool in the shed, are you?"

Zhongli sent the cavalry captain a confused glance, "I apologize... I don't own a shed."

"Right. That answers that."

Zhongli wasn't surewhatthat answered, but Kaeya seemed satisfied enough. Several feet in front of them, Amber pushed Lumine and Childe further away from each other, earning a laugh from the Harbinger. He was enjoying torturing the Outrider as much as Kaeya enjoyed watching it happen.

Lumine, on the other hand, was simply confused. She wondered how someone could assume she and Childe had that kind of relationship - he was a filthy trash goblin, and she was a battle angel of death, the imagery did not mix very well. Amber's frantic attempts to keep them six feet apart at all times only made Lumine more, and more, bewildered. Childe, on the other hand, remained highly amused. As a man with three younger siblings, he knewexactlywhat to do in this situation.

"Lumine," he stepped past Amber and dropped to one knee, taking Lumine's hand in his own and staring up at her, "why don't we just drop the secrets and make our relationship known to everybody? Marry me, Lumi, be at my side forever."

Amber looked as if she wanted to punch him. Rolling her eyes, she crossed her arms and glared, "Come on, stop being stupid!"

"Paimon thinks he's just trying to make you mad," Paimon floated up to Amber's shoulder, "you're egging him on too much!"

"You're right," Lumine lifted her chin arrogantly and yanked her hand away, "Heisbeing stupid. You should know better, Childe. Only a man who can defeat me in combat may ask for my hand."

A man who could defeat her in combat. How funny that he had the exact same requirement for his own lover. She was too perfect. She was so utterly wonderful, he could hardly get over it. He attempted to ignore that flicker of fire in his chest, instead grinning up at her while still on one knee, "Then let's go, right now. I promise I'll win."

Behind them, Zhongli looked up from his makeshift map with wide eyes, "Is there going to be a wedding? How wonderful, I have the authority to officiate, you know."

"Not yet," Kaeya held up a hand, "but one day, for sure. Their love is written in the stars."

It was the eighth time Kaeya had made such an implication. The eighth time he'd teased Childe over his starmate, accompanied with the slyest fox-smile he could possibly wear. Childe sent him a glare from his spot on the ground, only proving to grow Kaeya's smile even further.

Lumine, fortunately, was not paying attention. "How could I love a man who cannot even shoot a bow correctly?"

The Harbinger stood with a defensive huff, "Hey! I can shoot a bow correctly! Far better than you, at least."

True. Lumine had no patience for archery. She preferred to run headfirst into a battle with a very sharp stick, and poke monsters with the pointy end. It was, perhaps, why she and Childe made a good team. He could hardly control himself from bringing out his swords either. Amber grimaced at the earlier battle she had watched - Childe truly could not hold back.

"Your posture is…" Amber thought for a moment, not wanting to outright insult a Harbinger for the sake of her own neck, "well, it needs work."

"Iknowhow to shoot a bow."

Even Zhongli grimaced, "I noticed that you end up just throwing your arrows… And those ones go further than the ones shot from your bow, somehow..."

"Yes," Childe shot him a look, "they're like aerodynamic knives."

Amber sighed, "No, they're really not…"

They were not. Childe's creativity would continue to go unappreciated for the duration of the journey, and they were not even out of Liyue yet. It would certainly be a long walk to Dadaupa gorge.

The group met at the Northern gate of Liyue harbor early in the morning. Kaeya and Lumine mirrored each other in tired bitterness, while Amber and Childe were nearly bouncing off the walls. Zhongli was the only normal one, and Kaeya swore that he watched the life leave his eyes when Childe made the comment about Rex Lapis having no hair underneath his conclusion, Zhongli would be mildly suffering from this journey. Amber would begreatly suffering- brought on by her own protective worries for Lumine. Paimon was gone in her own world half the time out of sheer frustration from the combined efforts of Kaeya and Childe. AndKaeyawould be focusing on every opportunity to further his blackmail with the Harbinger.

Childe and Lumine were the only ones that seemed to genuinely be enjoying themselves. Amber suspected that was due to each other's company, but she refused to acknowledge that her dear friend would be so stupid.

Except that she would. Lumine would trust a hilichurl if it told her to.

Amber needed to gather the Council of Big Brothers once back in Mondstadt. It was Lumine's only hope in her battle of affection against the Harbinger, the battle that she was so obviously losing. Amber could tell just by one glance that Lumine was on dangerously thin ice. And aside from the affection aspect of the odd relationship, she noticed that there was thecompetitiveaspect. Which, somehow, was much worse.

After several more miles of argument and shenanigans, Amber saw the extent to which Lumine and Childe's competitive natures clashed. It felt likemorethan a clash. It was not dissimilar to an explosion, with earthquakes as the aftershock. And Kaeya was the constant instigator.

"I bet the Harbinger can take down that ruin guard faster than you, Lumi. He'd beat your record on the first try."

That record being exactly 32 seconds, which was an incredibly proud moment for her. The glare Kaeya received was far more heated than Lumine's usual stare. She took a deep breath, clenching her fists and ignoring Childe's grin, "Why don't you watch and see? Childe could never beat my record."

"Hey," Childe put up a hand, "I can't let my title go undefended here. I'll defeat it in 15 seconds, tops."

"That's stupid. And you don't even have a title! If you did, it would be…" a challenging smirk, a sparkle in her eye that made him feel like melting on the spot, "Teyvat's biggest loser."

It was odd how affected he was by her barrage of insults and comebacks. They were mostly childish, and never very clever, but theywerechallenges. Lumine was constantly forcing him to do better, to practice more, to try and beat her. The exhilaration of her very existence settled into his chest and refused to leave. "The title of…" he thought for a moment, his knee bouncing in excitement, "of absolute King over everything Lumine does."

Absolute King over everything Lumine does. He was trying to push her buttons, poke and prod the beast, rise that fire in her heart. It worked, as childish as it was. Zhongli and Amber watched with crossed arms and narrowed eyes, while Kaeya enjoyed the seeds of chaos he'd begun to sow. "Why don't you see?" He pointed to the silhouette of two resting ruin guards on the hill - Liyue was practically crawling with them, "Whoever loses has to tell their biggest secret."

"Their biggest secret?" Amber gasped, "Are you sure that's appropriate for a stupid thing like this?"

Zhongli crossed his arms and thought for a moment, "It does seem a bit callow… but I admit that it interests me as well."

Zhongli could not hide the business side of himself even if he tried. Kaeya had read him like a book from the moment they met. He was calm, cool headed, and incredibly picky. He didn't enjoy having the losing hand in his constant game of chess, even if he would take the loss humbly. Kaeya could easily assume that Zhongli was as curious about the traveler and Harbinger as he was.

There were high stakes for such a simple challenge. Fortunately for Lumine, she had no secrets. She accepted in under a second, grinning up at Childe with crossed arms, "I'm in. And when you lose, Harbinger, you'll finally admit to what I've always known…"

"And what is that, printsessa?" He raised a quizzical brow, though his smile betrayed the amusement of the challenge. Another snap of the invisible rope between them, and the air thickened. It felt that there was only a matter of time before it broke entirely, bringing the two together in something incredibly destructive. Whether it be kissing, or fighting. Paimon understood that it would most likely be both.

Lumine stared up at him with confidence, "I have this theory about you."

"Oh?"

"This is exciting," Kaeya whispered to Amber, "they're flirting hardcore right now."

That was not what the outrider wanted to hear. She rolled her eyes and shoved against Kaeya's arm, continuing to go ignored by Lumine and Childe, who remained in their own world with each other. Lumine did not break her gaze, "I think…"

A pause for anticipation. Childe took a deep, excited breath.

"I think you still pee your bed."

"...What?"

"Because a person like you doesn't have many secrets," the traveler challenged, Paimon sitting on her shoulder like an exhausted and utterly done parrot, having given up long ago on arguing with Lumine's odd attachment to the man, "not interesting ones, at least. You're not that exciting, Childe, so obviously your only secret is something incredibly embarrassing. If it's not bed wetting, it's… asthma."

He furrowed his brows, "There's nothing embarrassing about asthma."

"So you admit you have asthma?"

"I don't, but-"

"Guys," Kaeya put up a silencing hand, "just go fight the ruin guard. It's getting late and we need to set up camp."

Childe ignored him, "Your imagination sure is active, printsessa. Let me guessyoursecret…"

"I have none!"

"Yes you do," he smiled tightly, "I bet it's something embarrassing, like you have an incredibly hairy back, or... 12 toes."

"12 toes?"

"It would explain why you trip so often."

"I do not!"

"Lovebirds," Kaeya groaned as an interruption, "Justgoalready!"

With yet another heated glare, they went. Childe and Lumine shot off like children vying for a mother's attention. Up the hill, with their hands grappling at each other in an attempt to slow the other down. Amber watched with a flat gaze as the ruin guards began to awaken and stand, and the couple argued over who would win.

Of course, nobody actually won. Both ruin guards fell at the same time, and the subject of deep, dark secrets was dropped entirely.

The group stayed the night in the Guili Plains, with Wangshu inn silhouetted in the far distance. Amber started a fire and helped Lumine cook, while Zhongli told stories of old legends that nobody besides him recalled any longer. The evening passed peacefully enough, with just the right amounts of chaos sprinkled in - Kaeya challenging Lumine to an arm wrestling match, and so on.

As the night began to settle and blankets were laid out, Lumine found herself awake longer than the rest of them. Paimon had disappeared, Amber and Kaeya had laid down long ago, and Zhongli wandered off to look at the nearby ruins, citing something about old memories. It left her, and Childe, sitting beside the fire in comfortable it was almost peaceful. It wasalmostcalming, a moment she would dwell on as a rare show of normality from the Harbinger.

Until he opened his mouth, of course. He always did that, ruining whatever semblance of peace Lumine was ever able to achieve.

"Does Zhongli seem kind of weird to you? Like he's hiding a million secrets and he won't tell us any?"

A spark of irritation flickered in Lumine's chest. She raised her eyes from her makeshift map, staring at Childe over the fire. His hair looked redder in the glow of the flames, and his face half shadowed by the surrounding trees and ruins. "Is it true that most Sneznhayans are terrible gossips?"

With his chin in his palm, he grinned, "In my experience, yes."

"Well," Lumine spoke slowly, "I'm not much into gossip myself, I don't like making assumptions about people-"

"You make assumptions about me all the time!"

She would ignore that, "-Especially about nice men like Mister Zhongli, so whatever secrets he's keeping, I will respect them to the utmost of my abilities."

Childe's smile fell as if she was no fun, "Come on, I know you're curious too. You're just putting on this whole mature act because you don't want to show him your true side."

"No… he saw me dive into that pond earlier, he knows how I am…"

"Youlikehim, don't you?"

Bewildered, Lumine gripped the edges of her map and gasped, "W-What are you talking about? Plus," glancing over her shoulder in worry, she stiffened and bounced her knee, "I don't know how far away he went, he could hear us."

Childe sat up to attention, "You're defending him because you like him, admit it girlie."

She didn't. She didn't even believe she was defending him, it was more so her utter lack of interest in his ancient legends and lack of excitement. Zhongli was kind, but he was not a knight like Huffman - he was not a warrior like her past crushes. He would certainlynotbe willing to fight off an entire army of whopperflowers in her honor, which was a requirement for the men in Lumine's life.

She stared at the shadows flickering across Childe's face. His gaze broke for half a second as his eyes flickered left, his brows furrowed, and he returned to her face with a soft smile. Nothing about the smile reached his eyes, a blank mask of emotionless detachment. Lumine might be oblivious and naive, but she often took the time to become acquainted with her companion's moods. Childe was difficult to predict, but he was generally straightforward. When he lied, or schemed, or manipulated, he had that specific look on his face - as if he was hyper aware of himself.

And, he had kissed her just several days ago. He had offered a position in the Fatui so they could 'make out' more often. What exactly did that say about him?

The flicker of irritation died, replaced by something warm, like kindling in her chest. The air seemed to leave her lungs as she realized in sweet relief what was happening there. She knew, Childe could not hide it any longer. Lumine had seen right through him.

"You're insecure, aren't you?"

Childe was taken aback. He sat up straight, fingers tapping on his knees as he stared at her across the fire. It was as if she'd pulled an arrow back, and shot him right through the head. Lumine was beautiful in the glow of night, even when she grinned like a madwoman at him. She was arrogant, and prideful. She was a know-it-all, and entirely too feral. And she could read him like a book when he least expected it. He supposed that was one thing that made him different from the other Harbingers, he wore his heart on his sleeve. It was dreadfully inconvenient sometimes, even if he did not agree with her perspective.

"I'm not insecure," he informed as he rested his cheek in his palm once more, "I'm just calling you out. I know how you are. You fall in love at the drop of a hat."

Lumine gasped in horror, "I do not!"

"That Millelith last week who caught you when you tripped?"

"H-He was cute!"

"That guy from Inazuma down by the docks who gave you a flower?"

"It was a very beautiful flower!"

"And not to mention Xiangling's father…"

"How could Inotlike a man who gives me free food?" Lumine crossed her arms defensively and glared. She was getting better at glaring, she almost looked threatening, "I don't fall in love easily, trust me. I just sense a warrior's spirit in some men and… I appreciate it…"

Childe narrowed his eyes, "Ihave a warrior's spirit! And I give you free food all the time! But you're not falling in love with me, are you?"

Amber would disagree, judging by the millions of lectures she'd given to Lumine on their journey thus far. She sighed, her cheeks dusting with warmth, "No, and I'm not with Zhongli either. You're just being insecure."

This was a challenge to his pride. She thought he was weak, insecure about something as stupid as romance. He raised a brow, frowning, "And why do you think that?"

"Because you don't have any friends other than me," Lumine came with her sharpest weapon, words lashing out like her sword, "and you're afraid that I'll like Zhongli more than you, and then stop spending time with you!"

It was ironic how close to the truth she was. It was as if she was teetering on the edge of a cliff, but never falling off. "So what you're saying is…" he spoke slowly, processing her conclusion, "that you think I'm jealous of yourfriendshipwith Zhongli?"

"Yes."

How was this woman real? Was she messing with him? It was as if Childe's brain had slowed down just to process the sheer obliviousness of it all. Lumine thought he was jealous of herfriendshipwith another man. The situation could not get any more laughable.

He attempted to hold back the mocking laughter. He stifled his laugh with his hand, avoiding her eyes, "Y-You… Really?" A sharp chuckle and a bewildered glance, "Are you messing with me? Are you trying to catch me off guard, or something?"

Lumine was taken aback. She folded her hands in her lap and sat up straight to attention, "I'm not messing with you. Am I wrong?"

"In a way… But, gosh," another laugh, "Lumi, either you're blind, or you're teasing me."

"I'm not trying to tease you…" her cheeks went red, "S-Stop confusing me and just say what you're thinking! If I'm wrong then tell me!"

He would oblige, if that's what she wanted. "You're dead wrong, girlie."

A pregnant pause. "... I'mneverwrong."

"You just told me to tell you if you were wrong!"

"Well, I'm not! You're jealous and insecure. It's true and Iknowit."

Jealous, yes. Insecurity was an entirely different matter. He sent her a non-amused stare, raising one brow, "I've never been insecure in my life. I know exactly who I am and what I want."

"Then what?"

He caught her off guard, "What?"

"What do you want, Childe? Like, in life?"

What did he want in life?

That was a difficult answer to a simple question. His father had asked him that many times before, pulling him out of street fights and shaking his shoulders as if he could rattle the wrong out of him. Childe recalled the worry in his eyes, the strain in his voice, as he asked his third son what he wanted in life. What kind of life did he want to live? Dying from a stab wound because he taunted the wrong person?

Ajax had never been able to answer. Ajax had just stared at his father in silence, gasping for air as he realized just how much the abyss had ruined him. Childe, eventually, accepted the most obvious answer. It was only after meeting Lumine that the conclusion began to be muddied and unclear once more.

Lumine stared across the waning campfire as silence settled between them. She brushed her hair behind her ear, not allowing her gaze to break from his. He could stare at her face for the rest of his life and be satisfied. He could travel alongside her and compete every hour of the day. Lumine shifted her weight uncomfortably and rested her legs under her, the white dress she always wore riding up her thighs to reveal an unyet explored expanse of skin. His gaze flickered from her revealed shoulders, to her waist - which always fit so wonderfully perfect in his hands - and to her thighs. She was beautiful in a completely physical way, strong and deceptive. Just by a glance, nobody could tell that she could defeat a ruin guard in 32 seconds flat.

And Lumine was completely innocent, obviously. She was simply glaring at him, processing her thoughts as she moved beneath his gaze. She had no idea that the way she curled her legs underneath her body would drive him absolutely wild, lighting a fire in his stomach that he didn't know he had. She had absolutely no idea that her soft sigh and doe-eyes that flashed in anger would strike avery particularchord in his throat and end up suffocating him for air. She had absolutelyno ideathat she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen in his life.

It had felt this way since the kiss. The arguments had grown more heated, the desires stronger. He had known what it was like to have her in his arms, and that was a memory that refused to leave his mind.

"What's your real name, Childe?"

If he could process human words he'd tell her that it was classified. If he processed human actions he'd go to her in that very instance and kiss her until neither of them could breathe. Unfortunately for him, his brain remained rather fogged. "I… don't know."

She raised a brow, "You don't know your real name?"

"I do," he raised a sudden hand and sighed in annoyance, "I just have a headache, I guess. My brain isn't really wanting to work…" he glanced up at her, trying to avoid the tilt of her shoulders and the skin on her thighs, cooling down the wildfire raging in his stomach, "Why do you ask?"

"Well…" a hesitant shrug, "I don't know anything about you, really. But I feel like you know everything about me."

He felt that he knew absolutely nothing about her. She was trusting, she was friendly, but she was surrounded by the highest walls of fake friendship he'd ever seen. He didn't even know where she was originally from. "I guess I could say the same about you."

"What's your name?"

He grinned, "Classified."

"Fine," she huffed in sudden annoyance, "how many siblings do you have?"

That was far easier to answer. "Six. Four brothers and two sisters. I'm the middle kid."

Lumine perked up with realization. Her eyes widened, her lips parting - he really wanted to kiss that look off her face. His body nearly jumped without thought as she stared at him across the fire, "That explains everything… You just want attention, don't you?"

He just wantedattention. That was her final conclusion, that he was an attention starved little boy who blended into the background. He, easily, was a nightmare of a child, his parents couldn't forget raising him even if they wanted to. "And what about you, Lumi? You're a twin, doesn't that mean you're supposed to have some kind of identity crisis?"

She waved him off nonchalantly, "Oh, not really. Aether and I are entirely different people. He's… he's brave, and wonderful, and good with people. He's like… I don't know," she shrugged, "he's pretty great."

Frankly, he sounded annoying. Nobody was wonderful, great, or brave. Everybody was a bit imperfect in their own ways. "But what was he like? Did he have a temper? Was he strong?"

"Very strong," Absently, Lumine pulled at the grass beside her, "He's always been my big brother, and… Well, I guess you wouldn't know what it's like, I can't imagine you idolized your older siblings much."

She was right on that account. His oldest brother was a happily married man with an absolutely boring life, and his second oldest was a womanizer who would have tried his moves out on Lumine by then. His older sister was far more respected than those two, and even then she was a bit boring in the end. He frowned, "Not really. But I guess I know what it's like, I have little siblings too. And if I may say… I am the coolest brother in the world."

It was true. Lumine seemed to enjoy that, putting a hand to her mouth and laughing, her cheeks turning the softest shade of pink, "So, you know what it's like to be a big brother, then. I guess you and Aether are more alike than I thought. You're both… just, I don't know," she shrugged and sighed, "I feel like a little kid when I think about how he is."

A little kid. While Teucer was a child, only aged eight, Childe knew he didn't want him to feel like that. He'd do anything to avoid having his youngest sibling make the face Lumine made, that sad expression as she zoned out, thinking of every possibly insecurity that could burrow itself into her heart. She didn't have to go into further detail, he could imagine what she felt. She was the little sister, left alone in this world to fend for herself without the one who had always protected her. Diluc's words came to mind,'I know she's far more scared of this world than she lets on'.

He saw it now. He was mildly offended that someone like Diluc saw itbeforehim.

"Childe," she broke the silence with a whisper, looking up at him through her lashes. She had no idea the effect she had on his body, his mind, his heart. Just once glance from her, and he felt like weak putty in her hands, "I'm going to ask it again, because you didn't answer me before. What do you want in life?"

He knew the answer to that now, instantly.

Lumine. He wanted Lumine. He wanted to make her feel good, to let her know that she was not inferior to her brother. He wanted to take care of her, to cherish everything about her. He wanted to challenge her every day, to become even stronger as she watched, because she was the only woman who'd ever made him close to happy. She was the only person in the Teyvat he'd ever met that could make him truthfully laugh, that could make him want more, that could amuse him for more than a few seconds.

He was jealous that she would like Zhongli, and he'd have to watch her get an annoying teenage crush onyet anotherman that was not him. He wanted her to spend winter with him at his parent's house, curled up in front of the fire. He wanted her to give him that shy look before every kiss. He wanted her against him, in his arms, whether it be during a fight, or simple holding. He wantedher.

And all he could wonder in that moment was this: How could he have let it get this far?

He was in danger.

"I… cant really say what I want…"

"Why not?" She pushed further, the flames of the waning fire flickering across her cheeks, "We're friends, you can tell me anything."

He really couldn't. He couldn't tell her that he desperately wanted her to join the Fatui so he could think about kissing her without all consuming guilt drowning his mind. "I really cant."

"You can," she corrected haughtily, "but you won't."

"Lumine, really, you don't want to know."

"I do, though!"

He sighed, "I would like to take over the world, but recently that's taken a backseat to something else."

Her curiosity was piqued far more than it should have been. She leaned forward, every inch of her body excited for the possible secret he might impart. She was more of a gossip than she originally thought. "What is it? Defeating me in a fight to the death?"

"...Kind of… but not really…"

"Defeating meandAether in a fight to the death?"

"Now, that's an idea!"

"Let me regain my full power beforehand!"

Her full power. How Lumine-esque to talk of having full power and being weaker than she actually was. She thrived on her own pride. "Lumi, even at your full power, I could still beat you."

She gasped in horror, "You couldn't."

"I could!"

"Never!"

"Lumi," another teasing smile, "I'll always be stronger than you. I can't dominate you if I'm-"

"Childe no!I'lldominateyou!"

"So…" a flicker of excitement in his stomach, a skipped heartbeat in his chest, "you're into that kind of stuff?"

She gasped, "No!"

"Lumi, just be a submissive good girl and-"

Kaeya, unfortunately, broke the argument with an annoyed groan and a fling of his hand. He lay on his bedroll nearby, far enough away to not hear every word of the conversation, but to register their heated words. He sat up and frowned through the darkness, "You two need to take it somewhere else. I donotwant to hear you having sex all night."

Sex. He didn't want to hear them havingsex. That was an idea to ponder. Childe nodded in agreement, the air between themwasquite thick with something heavy and passionate. "Alright, come on Lumi-"

"Sex?!" She screeched, the high pitched squeal of her voice making Amber snort in her sleep and hold baron bunny even tighter, "I-I would never! Aether made me promise to not do that until I'm married!"

Of course he did. Childe ignored Kaeya's mocking laughter from his bedroll, and instead locked Lumine into place with a serious, heavy look, "Then let's get married. Zhongli can officiate-"

"No!"

Perfect. She was absolutely perfect, with her red cheeks and wide eyes. He painted a picture of her in his memory. "Lumi, I didn't expect you to be such a prude."

"Stop teasing me," she hissed, "I'm not a prude, I just have standards."

"Please," Kaeya fell back onto his pillow and groaned, "just go. Just leave. Go fight something, I saw a lawachurl earlier when scouting, go kill it. Just… Just be quiet while I'm trying to sleep!"

That, too, was an idea almost as good as intercourse. Not that Childe would know, he'd been far too busy so far to care about those kinds of things, though he would not let that bit of information slip out to Lumine. Standing from his spot and dusting the grass from his legs, he grinned at her across the campfire, "Let's let him sleep, shall we?"

Her cheeks were burning. She was glaring at the ground as if it had done her a personal wrong. "Fine… but only to fight the lawachurl, nothing else."

"I know," he put up a comforting hand and smiled, "I was just kidding earlier. I didn't think you'd be so uptight about it, honestly. You can't truly believe I want to do that kind of stuff with you, right?"

An absolute lie, but she didn't seem to notice.

Her shoulders loosened in relief, "Yeah… I guess so. Friends don't really do that with each other, right?"

"Right! Come on," he offered a hand, "let's go find that lawachurl. I need to kill something."

He did. Hedesperatelyneeded to kill something. Preferably, something rather difficult to kill, just to take his mind off Lumine and her reactions to the obvious thick tension in the air. She'd have to be blind to not realize the dark look in his eyes as he stared at her, or the feeling between them that was culminating. Hesitant, she took his hand and allowed him to pull her up off the ground. Their fingers parted as they walked down the hill and listened to Kaeya's dramatic sigh of relief. He could finally get some sleep without them arguing.

"I feel bad for waking him up," she glanced over her shoulder at the camp, "we should've lowered our voices."

He shrugged, "What's done is done. He'll survive somehow."

"I can't believe he thought that…" another awkward laugh, "that's crazy, right?"

Super crazy. She was so confident sounding that he wanted to believe her. He was in danger, after all. "Right. He's got to be teasing us."

Childe knew he wasn't, but lying to himself was quite the comfort in times of distress.

He and Lumine skidded down the hill to the river separating the Guili Plains and Cuijue slope. On the outskirts of Jeuyun Karst the monsters tended to be overgrown and angrier than normal - he'd taken a liking to fighting the pyro regisvine for stopped at the edge of the water. In the distance, silhouetted by the moonlight, the hulking beast of stone lumbered across the grass. She frowned at the shape, "Anemo and hydro against geo, huh? I wonder how that'll go."

Like splashing water and blowing gently on a rock. It sounded like a nice challenge. "We've just got to find a way over there."

The river flowed peacefully along. While it would not be difficult to cross, Lumine didn't particularly enjoy the thought of having a wet shirt contest with Childe - especially when she wore white. Sighing, she toed the sand on the riverbank in thought, "I don't think Kaeya would be keen to make us an ice bridge right now…"

In Childe's opinion, ice bridges were all the cavalry captain was good for. But Childe had grown up on the seaside, he'd spent the better part of his life crossing large bodies of water with no problem. This peaceful river would be nothing against him.

"Watch this." He put an arm around her waist and pulled her close - he'd been wanting to do that all night. "I can get us over there."

Lumine molded against him as if she were made for his body. "W-What're you gonna do?"

He was going to do what hydro users did best - be a complete and utter show off. Everybody knew that the Oceanid only accepted challenges to show it's artistic prowess with water sculpting. And Childe had a habit of jumping off waterfalls for fun.

With Lumine in his arms, he toed the water. It would work well enough. Before she could protest once more, he activated his vision to manipulate the currents around his feet. In a short half second, he pulled Lumine across the surface as she yelped in surprise at the sudden chaotic pull of the river. Snezhnaya had never been warm enough for surfing, but he imagined manipulating the water underneath his feet was much like riding a wave. Lumine nearly screamed as he held her close.

It lasted for a total of two seconds - which was faster than any ice bridge Kaeya could have made - yet Lumine yelped with surprise. Once her feet hit solid ground, she stumbled away from his waist and rested her hands on her knees, leaning over to breathe deeply. Her hair was soaked, her dress clung to her skin in the best way possible. "Oh, sorry," he looked down at his mildly damp legs, "I'm not used to having another person with me. I guess I caught you in the waves."

"Y-You stayed nice and dry!" She glared, "You could've at least warned me!"

If he had warned her then she would not be so cute with her dripping wet hair and red cheeks. He wouldn't pass that up for anything. "You'll get dry when we fight the lawachurl."

"See, every hydro user I've ever met is like this," she squeezed the end of her dress out, "Barbara makes little shapes with water, Mona does… the thing…"

"The thing?"

"You know…" she made a gesture to the ground, one he couldn't understand in the least, "she… does the puddle teleport thing…"

"Puddle… teleport thing…" Childe reminded himself to later research this 'Mona' and figure out what the puddle teleport thing was. It sounded incredibly interesting, teleporting as a puddle. He could move within water, but he couldn't teleport.

Nonetheless, there was a lawachurl on the hill ahead, and he could not forget the feeling of Lumine's waist underneath his fingers. He watched as she shook her hair like a dog and hit herself with a blast of anemo, only proving to fluff her hair up further. With a sigh, she gave up on drying off and sent him a defeated glance, "Let's go, I need to fight something."

She was wonderful. "You took the words right out of my mouth, printsessa."

"You shouldn't call me that," Lumine walked ahead of him to the hilichurl camp on the hill, "your starmate might get jealous."

"Hm, you're right. She is quite a boar of a woman."

"That's rude! Don't talk about her like that! I'm sure she and I will be dear friends in the future."

"I doubt that."

She turned around with a sigh. The hilichurls in their camp stood to attention with their signature 'yah!'. Ignoring them, she summoned a dagger into her hand with a flash of constellations, "You should be nicer, women like nice men."

So casual, so utterly indifferent. The sight of Lumine digging a jade dagger into the shoulder of a hilichurl warmed his heart, like his mother's cookies, but far more attractive. "Is that the dagger I gave you?"

"You didn't give it to me," a high kick to a hilichurl's head, another quick jab of the dagger, "You gave it to Paimon, and I decided to keep it."

He summoned his bow and aimed it at the hulking lawachurl striding towards them. He was taller than most, even bigger than the suits the Fatui skirmishers wore. Childe closed one eye and let out a soft breath, "I like seeing you use my weapons. I should buy you more."

"Oh?" Lumine sent a quick glance over her shoulder, "You'd rather buy me weapons, not lingerie?"

Lingerie. Lingerie? She said lingerie. The arrow fell from between his fingers, clattering unceremoniously to the ground. His heart skipped a beat as he watched her pin a hilichurl to the ground, her sword in it's chest. Lingerie. And weapons.

Both sounded good. At the same time, perhaps. That was an idea. The only problem was that Lumine was shamelessly flirting with him, and he was entirely unprepared for that.

Childe would never allow the enemy to have the upper hand for long. He could not live with himself if he let Lumine win this battle. He had to win, he had a chance. Judging by her absolute prudeness earlier, he knew he could stifle her flirtatious manner with the right remarks. Kicking aside another attacking hilichurl, he approached as she stood up to the lawachurl charging down the hill.

It happened in an instant. He held her wrist, pulling her out of the way of the lawachurl's path. It knelt on the ground and roared in fury, but continued to go ignored as Childe held Lumine to his chest. Her eyes were wide with shock, "I could've dodged on my own, you know."

"I know," a brush of hair behind her ear, a breathless smile as he took in her scent, her softness, the entirety of her body pushed against his without an inch between them, "but I'm curious, printsessa, why are you making comments about lingerie? Is your dirty mind getting out of hand?"

"No!" She gasped and yanked herself away, unfortunately. Re-summoning her sword, she spun and took out another hilichurl, yelling as she did so, "I just thought it was funny that you'd rather give me weapons than things most girls like!"

"So…" another arrow notched, aimed for the hulking lawachurl's face. He let it loose as he spoke, "You admit you like that stuff?"

"I like weapons too!"

"This isn't a matter of weapons, it's a matter of the kind of things a woman wears when in bed."

"Honestly, though," she ducked under the swung fist of the monster, dodging and sliding up behind it's back, "I would prefer a weapon far more."

Another shot, another stun on the great beast. He lowered his bow and grinned as she took the opportunity to stab through it's geo-formed armor, "Why not both?"

"Because," despite the frantic battle, Lumine spoke slowly as if talking to a kid, "you have a starmate, and should not be talking about this kind of stuff with me."

He wondered if he should tell her, if it would even be worth it. Would she believe him? Would she laugh in his face? The idea was quite ridiculous, this shining star of an outlander, and the corrupted Harbinger who was going to betray her in the end. He'd laugh too. The universe had a cruel sense of humor.

Childe abandoned his bow and summoned his hydro blades. Whipping around to take the stunned lawachurl by surprise, he knocked it backwards towards Lumine. As if reading his mind, she took the opportunity to summon a gust of wind like a blade that cut through it's armor. "You know, I'm offended that you'd think I'd betray my starmate so easily."

"But you are!" She stomped a foot as the lawachurl fell between them, "I don't care if you're not with her yet, that's still who you're supposed to flirt with, Childe!"

"So you admit this is flirting?"

With a groan, the lawachurl pushed itself back up. Annoyed, Childe delivered another swift jab to it's shoulder, and brought it down to it's knees. On the other side of it's fallen body, Lumine glared, "I guess," she huffed, "I don't know what flirting is like, I… don't really do that. But Ithinkit's whatever we've been doing."

Shethoughtit was flirting. She had to be the least experienced 19 year old he'd ever met, it was as if she'd never even read a dirty book before. He stepped forward, boot crushing down on the lawachurl's neck as if it was not even there, "Lumi, what do you feel right now?"

"I… I don't know," she ignored the sound of the groaning monster between them, "I try to not think about it."

He knew. He may have the emotional capacity of a brick, but he knew desire when he felt it. He desired many things, chaos and blood, battle, a good challenge. Lumine had quickly risen to the top of his list of desires. And Lumine during a battle, holding her sword in the moonlight and staring at him as if he was the only man who ever existed, he never knew he couldwant somethingso bad.

What to say in a situation like that? What to say when he didn't want to acknowledge how he felt? The urge to word-vomit was coming up quickly, unstoppable, as he met her gaze across the half dead lawachurl in the grass. Taking another step across it's back, he took a deep breath, "I… I like… I may even love…"

"...love?"

She was as breathless as him. She was tied up in the tension, pulled by the universe's forces closer to him. He loved something, he just knew it should not be her. And could not be her.

"Fighting."

"...What?"

"I love fighting."

"You…" Lumine paused, "you lovefighting?I mean, so do I, but…"

Good save. A wonderful save. He would congratulate himself later with some fire water and a snack. And the other Harbingers thought he was bad at lying, they were obviously wrong. "But what? What did you think I was going to say?"

"Nothing," she delivered a swift kick to the lawachurl as it groaned it's last breath - Childe was slowly suffocating it with his boot on his neck, being quite a bit more brutal than he usually was tonight. He wasn't sure if he wanted to show off for Lumine, or watch her fight more on her own.

Cuijue slope was crawling with angry beasts, he'd get many more opportunities to see in her action. Raising a brow as the lawachurl dissolved into dust under him, he watched her avoid his eyes like the plague. "What'd you think I was going to say?"

"Nothing!"

"Lumi, what is it?"

She put a hand over her eyes and squinted into the distance, "I see a mitachurl over there. We could take out that camp, and then find the pyro regisvine."

Avoidance, a typical tactic of those regretting their words. If only he knew what those words were supposed to be - most likely something concerning his liking of her, which was apparently written on his face according to Amber and Kaeya. All Lumine wanted was to avoid it, to brush past him and approach yet another distraction from the conversation at hand.

For once, Childe found himself wanting to talk before fighting. That was a first. "Lumine," he gripped her wrist as she passed, "Just tell me, I won't make fun of you." He wasn't sure why he was so insistent on his assumptions. Perhaps ifshewere the one to say it, it would make things much easier for himself in the end. If she was the one baring her soul, that would mean less hurt for him.

Lumine glanced at him over her shoulder. Once again, it was as if she was putting a spell on him, striking him with the sudden shock of seeing her lips parted softly, her eyes staring him down as if her entire world revolved around him. He could dissolve under that gaze, melt into her universe and stay in it's warmth forever.

She had no idea the effect she had. She was just looking at him, thinking on how to respond, as his plans for the future began to break and shatter. If he kept this up, he would be useless to the Tsaritsa whenever Lumine was involved. She exhaled shakily, "I like fighting too, Childe."

And that was that.

Or so he hoped. As reiterated many times earlier in his mind, things with Lumine never worked in the way he wanted.

Ahead of them, the hilichurl camp caught sight of their odd rendezvous in the destroyed neighboring camp. With their battle cries filling the air, Lumine glanced back at them and pulled her wrist away, "So, let's go do that right now, shall we?"

They shall. He needed something like that, then, to forget the interaction. The tension, the suffocating desire of wanting to pull her close and kiss her until he couldn't think any longer. That look in her eyes that made him think, just for a moment, that she wanted him too.

But he couldn't have that. And neither could she.

The tension lasted fordays.It was unbearable for everyone involved.

Everyone.Even Zhongli, who had been managing to ignore the traveler and Harbinger's antics so far. As he noticed a brush of their hands against each other, and watched them yank their bodies away as if there was an electrical current running between them, a look of mild disgust and horror registered on his face. He had to travel with these two far longer than Kaeya and Amber did.

"Perhaps I can go ahead into Mondstadt with you," he told Amber as they walked through the overgrown pathways of Wolvendome, "Childe and Lumine will be fine on their own."

With a skeptical brow, Amber gazed ahead to where the couple in question walked. Lumine laughed softly while Childe rubbed the back of his neck. She looked away, while his eyes lingered on her with a look she could only call adoration. It was absolutely disgusting. "No, I think I might ask you to stay with them."

On Zhongli's right, Kaeya nodded gravely, "The council won't be very happy if she's left alone with him."

"They'll be okay," he gestured to them, the two who were so wrapped up in each other that they did not notice their companions walking behind, "They're both adults, I believe. And they obviously trust each other… Excuse me, but what is the council?"

Amber crossed her arms over her chest and grinned, "When I found out Lumine's big brother was missing, I gathered all the men I knew and made the council. It's not really a council…" a hesitant shrug, "but it's helped her a bit. Swan, the knight who guards the gate to Mondstadt, he makes sure Lumine has a place to stay when in town. And Mister Diluc makes sure she has a meal. It's technically called the Council of Big Brothers, but Grandmaster Jean is also part of it! She…"

Kaeya smiled. Amber shuddered. Nobody wanted to talk about what Jean did to that cryo abyss mage who stole Lumine's flower pin. It still made Klee cry upon remembrance.

Klee herself was part of the lesser known council of little sisters, which just meant that Lumine bought her sweets. The only members of that particular council were her, and Paimon.

"The fact of the matter is this," Kaeya swung an arm over Zhongli's shoulder, taking the stoic man by surprise as he leaned in, "if you want to be Lumine's big brother, you need to do your part and keep her safe. Not like she can't do that for herself, but… just look at her. She's so…"

So trusting. So willing to put her neck on the line for a complete stranger. Zhongli furrowed his brows as he watched the Harbinger laugh at Lumine's dumb jokes, nudge her with his arm and smile down at her. They simply looked like the normal human couples he'd seen in Liyue. "He's quite rich, so I don't see what the problem is."

"It doesn't matter how much money he has," Amber held up a correcting finger, "they're not right for each other."

How ironic that they actually were. Kaeya sighed, while Zhongli stared ahead of him. He'd seen Lumine and Childe's future from the moment he laid eyes on them, their stars were some of the brightest in the sky. He was not interested in telling fortunes, but he often looked at his business colleague's futures out of simple curiosity. Nine children certainly sounded like a lot of work, in his opinion.

Yet, Zhongli would abide by his new companion's wishes. He sighed and watched as Childe ran off the path, disappearing into the bramble and trees. "Okay, I'll keep an eye on them for the remainder of our journey."

"Thank you," Amber smiled, "I really appreciate it. I know it's not gonna be very fun with them…"

It would not. Seconds after disappearing, Childe re-emerged from the trees, holding a very uncomfortable looking bouquet of wolfhooks. He held it out to Lumine with a flourish, "For you, my lady."

Lumine stared. Childe's hand began to twitch from holding the stems of the barbed plant, and Zhongli realized what kind of torture he was in for after Amber and Kaeya left. This was the third wolfhook bouquet that day, as if Childe was trying to passive aggressively sting Lumine to death. It was odd, to say the least.

"Are you sure I can't just stay in Mondstadt?" He asked Kaeya, "I have a friend there I can visit… and they'll be okay on their own."

"Zhongli, please?"

Amber was giving him those eyes he could not resist, it reminded him far too much of Guizhong. He could not possibly tell her no when she made that face. "...As you wish, I promise I'll keep watch over them."

"Thank you," she exhaled in relief, "I know you'll take care of it well, Zhongli."

"I'll try my best to keep them separate…"

He would try his absolute best. With another sigh, he approached Lumine as she attempted to take the wolfhooks without stinging herself. Zhongli knocked the horrid bouquet out of Childe's hand, glaring with a fatherly sternness in his eyes, "Master Tartaglia, I must ask that you bring the traveler better flowers!"

Amber gasped, "I mean keep them apart, don't teach him how to be better!"

Zhongli chose to ignore the outrider behind him, instead staring Childe down with intensity. The Harbinger furrowed his brows, smiling as if he was annoyed, and tilting his head. Zhongli knew that expression, he made it when he was considering whether to draw his swords or not.

"Okay, Mister Zhongli," he crossed his arms, "what do you suggest? I want a highly poisonous flower that is resistant to nearly everything, and is still pretty. Like Lumine."

"Oh," Kaeya whistled, "he's really putting on the charm today."

He was. Lumine was covering her face with her hands, while Amber groaned in absolute frustration. This was going according to Zhongli's plan, so far so good. He lifted his chin, staring the Harbinger down, "Windwheel asters, or cecilias. Lumine is soft and gentle like the aster," he pointedly ignored her dagger-like glare, "but she can withstand the harsh winds like the cecilias. If you really wish to win her heart-"

"Nobody is winning my heart!"

"-then build her a bouquet of both."

A bouquet of both, cecilias and asters. As wonderful as that sounded, Childe only crossed his arms and sent the group a flat look - simultaneously ignoring the soft punch delivered to his arm by Lumine. "That sounds great, but I'm notthatmotivated. It's just Lumi."

Another punch, and an attempted kick, "You're so rude! I'll slit your throat!"

He dodged her foot with a laugh, "You really know how to get a man going, don't you girlie?"

She didn't. Lumine's threats reminded Childe more of a small, yappy dog. Before he could inform her of such, Zhongli brushed past him with a shoulder colder than cryo. Staring straight ahead, he crossed his arms, "ThenIshall go pick the bouquet for her."

Childe's chest throbbed in sudden, annoyingly intense anxiety. It was not normal fear, but something that pained him to his very core. Hot anger rushed through his veins as he gripped his fists and watched Zhongli's face for any sign of humor. Behind him, Amber gasped, and Kaeya cackled in absolute amusement.

"A…" Amber's whisper was barely heard over the rustling of the wind in the trees, "A love triangle..."

Never. Never in a million years would Tartaglia, the 11th of the Fatui Harbingers, allow himself to be caught up in something as benign as a love triangle, and especially not with Zhongli. Of all people, this bourgeoisie parasite wouldnotbe his rival in affection. He could not hardly be Lumine's type.

Except for the small fact that he was kind, soft spoken, intelligent, and he had nice hair. His eyes were kind of brown, albeit much more intensely than Huffman's. With another ache of jealousy, Childe scanned Lumine's face for any sign of blush.

Right as rain, she was glaring. She stood in the middle of the path, stiff as a rock. Her lips were pressed thinly together, and her eyes were not shining in their usual determination. She took another deep breath, and another, and stared at Zhongli as if he'd just insulted her mother.

That was a relief, though Childe's sanity was still on the line. With urgency and determination taking over his mind, he brushed past Zhongli with a look of angry competition settling into his eyes, "I'll go pick them, don't trouble yourself, Mister Zhongli," he didn't bother to hide the hard edge in his voice, so fakely polite it was almost rude, "Lumi ismineto tease."

His, specifically. Not that Zhongli was intending to tease her, but he certainly couldn't outright call her his, even if that was his hidden meaning. The implication got across well enough, judging by the horrified gasp that escaped the traveler - and the lovely shade of pink that her cheeks turned.

Satisfied, and sending a final smug look to Zhongli, Childe walked down the road with his hands in his pockets. The group was quiet in shock as he left, watching him raise a casual hand over his shoulder, "I'll meet you in Springvale with the best bouquet you've ever seen."

That was a promise, and Childe always kept his promises. With a blanket of silence falling over the group, he continued down the path, turning around the corner and disappearing into the distance. Normally, this would be the eye of the storm, with Lumine as the storm herself. But she could not bring herself to yell at Zhongli - he knew her favorite flowers, somehow, and he was so stern with Childe. She could not help but stare up at him with a mix of awe and shock.

"Well," he put his hands on his hips and watched the spot where the Harbinger had just disappeared, "I did what you asked of me, Amber. I separated them."

Amber coughed, covering her mouth as Kaeya patted her back with the widest grin he'd worn on the journey thus far. Lumine's eyes only widened as she realized what happened - Zhongli wasnotgetting her a bouquet. Her hopes and dreams crashed as quickly as they came, like Celestia falling from the sky.

Zhongli sent her a soft smile. Lumine frowned in return. Amber was attempting to catch her breath, "S-So that was all a trick?"

"A ruse, yes," he smiled, "you asked me to keep them separate, so I did, at least for today. I'll think of something for tomorrow… if he doesn't try to murder me in my sleep tonight, that is."

"Don't worry about him," Lumine gripped his sleeve with fire in her eyes, staring up at him with poison on her tongue,"I'llkill you in your sleep."

The threat was all too real - Kaeya had gotten that look before, he recognized it well - though Zhongli remained unconcerned. He put his hand to his chin and stared ahead, a sparkle in his eye as he thought, "Is this what having normal friends feels like? It's quite nice. It's been a very long time since I've done something like this."

"Done something like what? Been suffocated by a pillow in your bed?"

He smiled innocently down at Lumine, "Come, let's move on. We must reach Springvale before nightfall."

Childe should have realized earlier that he had no idea where to find cecilia flowers and windwheel asters. He didn't spend much time in Mondstadt, and he especially did not spend time looking at the local flora. If he had to scour for specific things, it was starconches for ascensions, and herbs for seafood soup.

He had no idea what either of these flowers looked like. Skirk had taught him better: never let your mind be clouded in a battle, whether it be a battle of wits or of physical strength. It seemed that since he'd met Lumine, he'd been living under a thick fog made of emotion. It was yet another reason why her very existence was dangerous.

Yet, it would be okay. He would use her to do all the work and figure out where the exuvia is hidden, get the gnosis, and then take a vacation. He truly did like his earlier idea of going on a long sea trip, perhaps on a small boat with just him and his second oldest brother, maybe Teucer and Anthon if mama would let him. They'd fish, they'd break through the heavy winds of the Snezhnayan ocean, and he'd forget all about the honey-eyed girl and the way she made him feel.

After he got her the bouquet. The look on her face when he handed her something sweet never failed to amuse him. It was as if she was trying to decide between punching him, and kissing him. He'd like both quite equally. He just needed to find the flowers first.

And for a Fatui Harbinger, that was quite the easy task. He simply located the closest skirmisher gathering, marched into their camp, flashed the delusion pinned to his chest, and commanded the shocked and terrified recruits to go pick him some flowers.

"It's for the ascension of someone very important," he informed with a steel edge in his tone, watching the pyro archer flinch, "I need… 15 of each, delivered to the Springvale bed and breakfast by tonight."

A heavy pause. The electro vanguard was gripping his hammer as if it was his lifeline. Childe had always found the field-skirmishers a bit silly looking, as if they were trying too hard to be threatening. A real threat was found in the eyes, the tone of voice, the specific movement of one's body. Childe crossed his arms, staring the recruit down with a blank stare. "What are you waiting for, my blessing? Go. Now."

"Y-Yes sir!"

They scrambled away. He watched them push each other down the hill, towards the tree stretching out in the far distance. As they left, a glimmer of metal caught the corner of his eye. The recruits were in such a hurry to leave that they had abandoned their camp mid-training session.

He smiled as he leaned down and grabbed a newly shined and sharpened sword, "This is Lumi's now, oh and…" he dug around for a dagger, "this too. And…" he smiled as he picked up an artifact, "this too."

There was nothing better than pilfering his subordinate's camp for gifts to give his worst enemy. She'd have an absolute cow upon seeing the expensive quality of the artifact, and perhaps she would even use this sword. To imagine her fighting with somethinghegave her, that was enough to make him sigh outloud and smile to himself with utter glee.

He put the gifts away, standing up and staring at Mondstadt in the distance. He could make out the windmills, the high walls surrounding the city, and the sparkling of it's lake. With how far he initially ran from the group in his all-consuming competitive jealousy, he'd be able to get in and out of Mondstadt easily before they arrived in Springvale for the night.

He put his hand to his chin in thought. He knew he didn't want to see Pantalone, nor deal with the insistent diplomacy enforced there. He simply wanted to get Lumine something, or at least do something for her. It was the same feeling that urged him to send entire ruin guards to Teucer, to sabotage the lives of stupid boys who made Tonia cry, to teach Anthon how to deliver a punch that would win him an instant knock out. It was affectionate, deep in his chest and urging.

He could hardly resist the fire that lit in his mind. Smiling to attention, Childe grinned at the shape of Mondstadt in the distance. He knewexactlywhat he was going to do for Lumine.

She'd utterly hate him after this. It would be perfect.

Chapter 9: The Desire Before The Storm

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter fornotes.)

Chapter Text

Calm before the storm: a period of quiet that comes before a time of activity, excitement, or violence. For the constellations of Viatrix and Monoceros Caeli, all three of these aspects would come and go in their due time. Activity, excitement, and violence, wrapped together in a tight knit bundle, ready to burst apart.

Tartaglia, the 11th of the Fatui Harbingers, was about to have the fourth worst day of his life. The winner of the number one spot was, of course, the day he fell into the abyss - as wonderful as that entire ordeal turned out, 14 year old Ajax wasnotprepared to fall through the ground and into a pit of hell itself, the memory continued to live in his mind as literally theworstday of his life. The holder of thesecondworst day would be very far in the future, and the third worst day was only a month or so away. Yet,thisday would be the fourth worst in his timeline.

It would be the day he made Lumine absolutely despise his guts. He was accompanying it with a gift of weapons and flowers, as one naturally did when carrying out a scheme to turn their soulmate's heart against them. Lumine hating him was the most viable conclusion to this series of chaotic events, though Childe found himself imagining the exact opposite. It was unrealistic to dream of Lumine falling irrevocably in love with him and joining the Fatui, but the heart wants what it wants. Realistically, she would despise him after today.

Plan A, Part 1: Kidnap Huffman, make him apologize to Lumine. More succinctly described as 'carry out vengeance against Huffman'.

Part 2: Fight that Diluc fellow to the death - Childe wasreallyexcited for this part - and raise some hell, summon some slimes, and make the situation in Mondstadt so irreversibly terrible that Lumine would feel the need to stay there while he went back to Liyue with Zhongli.

Part 3: Find the exuvia, get the gnosis.

Part 4: Profit?

It was a long plan, but it would be incredibly fun to carry out. There was, of course, theotherset of events that could happen. They were much more pleasant, but far more unrealistic, if he were to be honest with himself.

Plan B, Part 1: Vengeance against Huffman, make him suffer. Lumine falls in love with the incredibly romantic gesture of him torturing her old love.

Part 2: Profit.

Either way, it was a win-win, there was no possible way for the Fatui to hung over Childe like a dark cloud as he approached the front gate of Mondstadt. Casually, he walked with his hands in his pockets and his head held high, not bothering to cover up the obviously Snezhnayan nature of his clothing. The vision on his chest and the mask in his hair would be obvious to anyone who knew of the cryo archon's signature taste. He watched as a guard raised a hand in greeting, though his smile fell upon immediate realization.

And, beautifully, there was nothing he could do about it. The Fatui were in Mondstadt for diplomacy. To refuse entrance to one of it's high ranking officials could easily be construed as an instigation of war, andnobodywanted to be the guy who started a war between nations. Childe raised a cheeky hand as he passed, "Afternoon, great day, isn't it?"

The knight of Favonius kept his face straight, his chin held high and shoulders perfectly postured, "Yes... And I hope it stays that way."

"Who knows," a nonchalant shrug, a laugh, "looks like it might rain to me."

It did not. The sky was clearer than ever, though Childe did not hang around the front gates to hear any form of argument. He had aspecificknight to find, a bartender to fight, and a city to half-destroy. All for the sake of one beautiful woman - as most wonderful things in the world were.

Mondstadt was far more lively this time of day, as opposed to his last visit. He returned every curious glance with a good-natured smile and a wave. The market stands were bustling, and the air smelled of flowers. Up the main steps and towards the fountain, the restaurant and general goods store attended to long lines of customers. It was not nearly as loud and business-like as Liyue, but he felt far more suspicious glares cast upon his person here. The people of Mondstadt tended to be more emotional about the Fatui's presence in their city.

On the second level, two Fatui agents leaned against the railing. Childe slipped behind the wall of a building before they would find him in the crowd. Pantalone being made aware of his presence in his territory would surely mean a boring business meeting - Childe did wish his coworkers had more taste for violence, they'd be a lot more fun to aggravate leaned against a wall and watched the people of Mondstadt pass by. He wanted to get to Huffman before fighting Diluc, as the latter would take much more of his attention. Huffman could not possibly put up much of a fight against a Harbinger, he didn't think the man even had a vision.

It was odd that Lumine liked someone like him. He would never expect her choice of man to be so incredibly boring. But perhaps that was what attracted her in the first place, he was safe, secure. He'd never disappear on a mysterious mission and only to never return. Lumine did tell him that she hated to lose people.

Childe could not stay in one place for long, else he'd catch the attention of the ever-roaming eyes of the knights. As he noticed a suspicious glance from a merchant, Childe pushed himself off the wall and continued down the alleyway. He would not bother to act normal, pretending was never his strong suit. With two fingers trailing down the brick wall of the building, he created more distance between him and the market sound of Mondstadt's flowing fountain began to disappear with every step. This city was spread widely apart, difficult to sneak around in. He peaked around another corner, continued, and onto another. No sign of Huffman so far - he could be off duty for all he knew, though that would not be a problem either.

For now, he avoided the Angel's Share. Going North through the alleyways, Childe weaved behind buildings and listened to the gentle hum of the marketplace in the distance. Ahead of him was the Goth Hotel where Pantalone would be, he knew to avoid that area like the plague. With another gust of wind, the smell of wildflowers hit him like a smack to the face - Mondstadt smelled like it's wine, saccharine and floral. It was far too warm for his comfort, even the breeze was warm. In Snezhnaya if the wind blew then it was for the purpose of chilling to the bone, a waking of the senses.Thiswarm afternoon breeze just made Childe want to take a nap.

A rustle of the leaves, of the flowers and the litter in the corner of alleys. He stopped in his tracks a sheet of paper danced across his feet, flashing the words 'Missing Person', catching his eye. Leaning down, he grabbed the parchment and smoothed it out against a wall to read.

'Missing Person - Aether, aged 19, blond hair, brown eyes. If seen please report to Honorary Knight Lumine'

Underneath the description was a hastily sketched picture. It could not possibly be Lumine's art - she couldn't even make a stick figure look good. The black and white drawing showed a long haired man that resembled Lumine in almost every way, as if the artist had drawnherand changed the hair and the shape of his face to a more masculine build. Below the sketch was a small line of text that read 'contact Albedo for sightings if Lumine is not available(and Klee)!'

Who in Archon's name was Albedo? His name rhymed with a type of pasta he'd tried before. Judging by the subtle signature in the corner of the sketch, Childe could assume that this pasta man had drawn the picture as well.

With a bristle of displeasure, he folded up the paper and put it in his pocket. It was natural for Lumine to have friends outside of what she'd shared with Childe, he had people in his life thatshe'd never met. That was fine. These people in Mondstadt were who she belonged with anyhow - if Plan A worked, that , it was interesting to see the missing person posters, and the depiction of Aether. It was a sliver of Lumine's life that he had not yet explored, like only seeing a planet in the sky from afar, but never having traveled to it. He'd hang onto the poster for reference later if the need ever arose.

As Childe walked through the back alleys, he wondered what Lumine evendidwhen in Mondstadt. Where did she stay, and who did she speak to? What kind of life did she live outside of their friendship and her business in Liyue? Was she as absolutely feral in the streets of Mondstadt as she was in Liyue? He'd like to see her in Snezhnaya, perhaps take her to Morepesok and cause some emotional trauma in all of his old schoolmates, then cook her a homemade meal and introduce her to his parents. It was the perfect date.

Too bad she'd absolutely hate him after his encounter with the people of Mondstadt. He spotted Huffman walking along the street in the distance, and his heart skipped an excited beat. It was time to change the alignment of the stars.

He summoned a polearm, twisting it around his body as he watched Huffman turn a corner and go into the empty alleyway. With his vision activating and the air around him becoming heavy with humidity, Childe used the summoned water currents to push him towards the knight in the distance. He moved in a flash, nobody from the street would catch him pass by. Only the smell of salty sea air remained as he passed through Mondstadt unseen.

Huffman had done all the work for him. He walked down an alley, his back to the Harbinger as he appeared behind him. Stiffening against the sudden humidity in the air, Huffman raised his gaze to the clouds above, "Is it going to rain?"

The tip of cold steel against his neck, sending a shiver down his spine and to his fingers. Childe held the polearm as casually as possible, digging the end into Huffman's exposed neck. With his vision and the smell of sea salt dissipating around their bodies, he grinned at the obvious tension as Huffman realized what was happening."It might," the Harbinger answered loosely, "if you don't do what I say, then it'll do far more thanrainhere in Mondstadt."

He could not see the knight's face, but he could imagine it. The furrowed brow, the eyes wide in fear. Huffman was as tense as a board while he slowly raised his hands, barely moving against the sharp tip of the polearm digging into his skin, "I… I-I know that voice. Who are you?"

Childecouldsay something incredibly cool like 'your worst nightmare' or 'revenge, bitch', Teucer would like that story. His youngest brother always did encourage him to be a badass in his 'toy selling jobs' - he also was unaware of the fact that toy sellers did not usually get into fights like Childe did, he looked at the local old man who made dolls in Morepesok like an utter God.

Unfortunately for Teucer, and fortunately for Huffman, Childe didn't particularly care about looking cool in battle. The only time he found himself aware of his own image was when Lumine was around, and she was not in that back alley in that moment. All he allowed was to dig the tip of the polearm deeper into Huffman's neck, and give a harsh command, "Keep quiet, and come with me. If you do what I say, nobody will get hurt."

A lie. He shut his eyes to keep his gaze from flickering to the left, though Huffman could not see his face. Someonewouldget hurt that night - probably Diluc - and maybe a few knights from the all out attack planned for the evening. But Huffman didn't need to know that."O-Okay… I'll do as you say."

That was what he liked to hear. He smiled to himself in satisfaction, "Alrighty then, come on. Let's go see Lumi."

"...Who?"

Childe, officially, was going to kill Huffman for that.

"Come on," with annoyance lacing every word, he grabbed the back of his collar and dragged him through the streets. He de-summoned his polearm and replaced it with a dagger, nudging the knight until he was in front of him and the dagger was pushed into his side. No amount of armor could stop a weapon that close to his skin, nor an aim and reflexes as good as Childe's, "act natural."

Quiet, he nudged Huffman along. The knight was smarter than he let on, his shoulders straight and his face blank as he shadowed his fear. He had to know that any sign of a struggle would mean trouble for others in Mondstadt. And while Childe usually preferred his opponents to put up more of a fight, he was grateful for the quiet as they passed through the city the side gate, sneaking around the trees to mouth of the bridge. By himself, Childe would easily make it over cedar lake, though he didn't quite feel like holding Huffman tight and racing across the water as he did with Lumine - he would be far less appealing in a wet shirt gate guards did not pay them any mind as the evening fell. It was getting too dark to see much of the traffic coming in and out of Mondstadt, giving Childe the advantage as he led Huffman to the bridge. The little boy who watched the birds was not even present this time of day, it was absolutely perfect.

Until he noticed Kaeya standing at the other end, his sword already drawn.

Wonderful.

"My comrade!" Childe took the place at Huffman's side, wrapping his arm over his shoulder and leaning in. His smile could have killed, laced with everything Pulcinella had ever taught him about subterfuge. The fifth Harbinger had high hopes for the 11th, often caught saying that Tartaglia couldeasilybe the sneakiest bastard in Snezhnaya if he just applied himself. It often reminded Childe of his teachers in school, as if manipulation could be graded from A to F.

He'd get an F. He was horrid at manipulation. Even in the distance he noticed the unimpressed, mocking smile Kaeya wore.

Amber was at his shoulder, her eyes wide. She put her hands to her chest and turned on her heel as Childe led Huffman across the bridge, the shine of the blade now visible in the moonlight, "I'll go get Lumine!"

"No need," Childe informed, voice raised with the distance between them, "I was going to see her anyway!"

"You've…" Amber stared in absolute horror, "You kidnapped her first love!"

"Well, technically, they were never together in the first place."

Huffman lit up with realization, like a match lit over his head, "Oh, Lumi is the honorary knight, I remember now!"

A flicker of irritation came to life in hs chest. Who did this boring globule of monotony think he was? Lumine was the shining star of Teyvat, the most beautiful woman in the world, and he did not even remember her name. Childe dug the tip of the dagger deeper into his flesh, drawing a trickle of scarlet blood over the steel, "You had the world at your feet, and you gave it away."

Kaeya watched in the distance, hand gripping the sword. He grinned even more, as Amber turned on her heel and ran to Springvale. Childe ignored the calvary captain as best as he could, though the look on his face enough to make him lash out. Huffman gasped in pain at the weapon digging into his side, blood dampening his undershirt and growing sticky against his skin, "I-I'm just a knight, I've never had anything like that. You've got the wrong guy."

He had the right guy, obviously. Brown hair, tall, kind, eyes like chocolate chip cookies on a Sunday morning. Childe could never be any of those things, his own eyes were as cold as the stormy Sneznhayan coast. There was absolutely nothing warm about them."You gave it all up," he informed lightly, his voice playful, "because you thought she wasemasculating. How could you?"

"...Oh."

Across the bridge, Kaeya took a step towards the scene. He raised one hand, "Now, come on, don't hurt Hufflemad, he's innocent."

The knight gasped, "It's Huffman!"

Childe glared, "Huffpuff needs to pay for making Lumine sad. You didn't see her like I did, Kaeya, she was an absolute wreck after he rejected her."

"I get it," raising a hand, he sauntered towards the middle of the stone bridge, pigeons flying in retreat at his feet, "I really do. When Lumine first got here, she liked this other guy…"

Another man.Anotherman? Childe tensed, raising a brow and keeping the dagger visibly pushed against Huffman's skin, "Who?"

"His name is Cyrus, he's… weird… Listen," Kaeya waved a nonchalant hand, "Lumine told him how she felt, and he didn't understand in the least. He thought she was challenging him to a drinking match. She, obviously, lost after one drink. She tried to tell him again, and then learned…" A pause, bated breath. Lumine seemed to love so much more than he ever could - he'd have to find and torture this Cyrus person as well. Kaeya ended the pause of anticipation with a flourish of his sword, "He had a wife and kids!"

That was the bomb.Thatwas the final note, the last nail in the coffin. This weird man named Cyrus that Lumine once adored had a wife and kids. Childe could assume the rest, she moped and she sulked, she cried, she laid on Kaeya's couch for a week in her despair. She was a total drama queen, bemoaning her one chance at love.

A certain understanding passed between Kaeya and Childe. Their gazes locked across the bridge. Despite the upcoming battle, they understood each other. They had both seen Lumine in and out of love in seconds, and knew the absolute pain of it only difference between them was that Ajax was her soulmate. Ajax was forced to watch Lumine love every man besideshim. Ajax had to deal with the utter force that was Lumine. Tartaglia had never felt more likeAjaxin that moment, realizing that the woman hemightbe falling in love with was possibly the most oblivious, obtuse person in all of Teyvat.

"You don't need to torture Hufflepuff," Kaeya nearly pleaded, breathing heavily as he gripped his sword, staring the Harbinger down, "I've personally seen it, Lumine won't care by tomorrow, Tartaglia. All the Outlander wants is… Is something to tell her that it's okay, that she'll be safe, that she'll find her brother and live a happy life. And she keeps picking these losers-"

Huffman cringed, "I'm not a loser!"

"But she just wants someone that won't leave her," Kaeya ignored the interruption, "and the great thing about you is that you literally can't, Harbinger. No matter what happens, youcan'tleave her alone, and you're starting to figure that out, aren't you?"

The words echoed in his mind. You can't leave her alone. No matter what, he could not stop himself from being in Lumine's life. That was the pattern in the stars, the celestial lights that never moved no matter how much he fought. Starmates. Their constellations were intertwined, and even if he managed to push Lumine away with this plan, the universe would findsomewayto push them back together.

It was actually kind of depressing. Whoever decided that sharing a constellation was something romantichadto be mentally ill.

Kaeya's sword was on him in an instance. Reflexively, Childe blocked with a summoned polearm, tensing his shoulder and pushing back against Kaeya's attack. Cryo filled the air between them, threatening to sink into his veins and freeze his every moment. He would not allow it, he'd fought worse than this part time pirate knight, and he'd dealt with far worse elemental challenges. "That's not very nice," another push against his sword, a glare, "I thought knights were too honorable for sneak attacks."

"Hey," he shrugged, "you do what you gotta do."

Huffman was abandoned as Childe spun around and jabbed towards Kaeya's stomach. As expected, the calvary knight dodged, and took the opportunity to blast him with a burst of frozen air. Childe was not using his vision for fear of having his movement stopped. This battle could not be taken as loosely as before, it wasn't a game any longer. As he let the cool air clear his senses, he smiled before another series of drilling attacks by his polearm.

It was incredibly unfortunate for Kaeya that the Harbinger was a master at changing between weapons. Just when he began to get used to the lance, Child broke it apart, switching to dual blades that allowed him more movement and speed. He spun, twisted, hit and parried. In the distance, the guard gates were running into the city to get backup, as Huffman watched with wide, terrified eyes.

"Just stop this act," Kaeya's voice lacked it's playful charm, now hard edged and angry as he parried another of Childe's aggressive assaults, "you're only hurting yourself!"

"I just want what any other friend of Lumine's would want," a hit, a dodge, a change to a sword for half a second before switching back to double blades. Pedrelino had taught him the importance of confusing one's enemy. Once they got used to one weapon, turn to another to catch them off guard. Kaeya could hardly keep up with the constant summonings, "Huffman broke her heart, so he has to apologize!" Another clash of swords, and they were face to face in a heavy moment, clouds of condensation puffing up between them in the cold of Kaeya's vision, "You agree, don't you? He can't even remember her name half the time."

Kaeya froze, his good eye flickering to the trembling knight, "Really, man? Really?"

The knight gasped, "She's just… kind of forgettable…"

He could not have said anything worse. He could not uttered anything more offensive, anything more terrible, anything more absolutelydisgustingthan the words that slipped from his mouth then. Childe, while holding back Kaeya's assault, turned to glare at him, eyes wide with rife and disbelief.

"Excuse me?You think Lumine isforgettable?"

Huffman stuttered and floundered underneath the glare. Kaeya, of course, took the opportune moment of distraction to stab Childe in the stomach with a hidden dagger, as one does.

Childe had been stabbed many times in the past, and it was never a pleasant experience. He'd been frozen, he'd been near hypothermia, he'd had countless concussions, and all of those he could get used to. But stabbing was an entirely different matter. It was like an invasion of his very self, the dagger digging into his skin and permeating his inner body like the foreign invasion that it was. It was cold, and breath taking, and all consuming. Childe could think about nothing else in that moment besides the feeling of steel digging in his side, sending shockwaves of pain to his head, through his limbs, and to his fingers.

He dropped to his knees. Hedespisedbeing on his knees.

Childe's vision blurred. How could he not see that coming? Huffman's pseudo-insult had covered his instincts in this thick cloud of distraction, keeping him from seeing Kaeya's hand reach for the knife. He had lost, he was bleeding out on the stone bridge of Mondstadt, gasping for air as he desperately pressed his fingers against the hot, sticky wound on his side.

Staring at the stones below his knees, he managed to force a question out between the frantic gasps for air, "Why did you…" a determined glare at his side, his blood covered fingers and the source of his pain, "m-miss my vital organs?"

Kaeya stood up straight, his fingers flexing as he looked down on the Harbinger. A wind blew through his hair while he pursed his lips in thought, "Because you're Lumine's."

Because he was Lumine's. That was the stupidest thing he'd ever heard. Childe's stomach hurt as he laughed and glanced up arrogantly, "I don't belong to anyone besides the Tsaritsa."

"Hm," playfully, he put his hand to his chin and mused, "sure, sure. Don't act like we can't see it. You're in love with her, aren't you? You'd give her the world, if you could."

Yes.Yes, he absolutely would. He'd conquer the world and lay it at her feet, just for the chance of seeing her smile for him.

Kaeya leaned down, tilting up his chin and smirking, "Harbinger, a piece of advice from yours truly. Don't hurt Lumine, just make her feel safe. Stop this assholery," he glanced at a terrified Huffman, "I know you'd end me if you were focused, but you're not. So I'm taking this opportunity right now," he flicked the stab wound at his side, making Childe flinch in reverberating pain, "to tell you that you're being stupid. I kept you alive only forhersake. Make it count."

Make it count.

How in the abyss did he do that? He'd never made anythingcountin his life, hehatedmath. With his vision blurring and static sound filling his ears, he listened to Kaeya grab Huffman's arm, "Come on, let's go report this to Jean. I'm sure the Tsaritsa willlovegetting a letter about one of her goons terrorizing our town."

It was not as if Childe was going to reveal that he was a Harbinger when he messed with Mondstadt, he was not so dumb as to put the Fatui's diplomacy on the line. While the Tsaritsa may send him a strongly worded letter after this, nobody could actually prove that it was the 11th Harbinger in the end. Annoyed, Childe rolled over, clutching his wound and watching the blurry visage of Kaeya and Huffman as they retreated. This had to be the worst wound to his pride he'd ever gotten, Kaeya didn't eventryto kill him.

Make it count. He kept him alive for Lumine's sake, so make it count.

Childedespisedbeing in debt.

Springvale, 8:02 p.m. on a Thursday afternoon. Lumine didn't even know this little village had a bed and breakfast, but there she was, in it's front living room, being handed the biggest bouquet of flowers she'd ever seen.

"For you… uh," the distorted voice of the Fatuu in the battle suit was haunting, though she'd heard it a million times. They all sounded the same, those skirmishers who camped across Teyvat, she'd begun to think they were all robots like Katheryne. Snezhnayan technology did seem far more advanced than any other region in Teyvat, she wouldn't doubt that they'd achieved cloning of soldiers.

Yet, this particular soldier seemed real, simply encased in a body of armor that was far bigger than any human should ever grow. He was one of the electro vanguards, the ones with the hammers that always tripped Lumine right as she charged her windblade. With blank eyes and absolutely no words coming to mind, she stared. Behind the electro vanguard, stood a cryo skirmisher, and a pyro archer. All three Fatuu shifted uncomfortably as if they had not been inside a civilized building in ages. Judging by the way she'd seen these soldiers live, she could say her assumption was correct. Hardly ever had she seen these types of steroid-packed recruits in the cities and villages.

Yet, here he stood, holding out a bouquet of windwheel asters and cecilias, just like Childe said. Zhongli stood behind her, the grimace on his face deeper than she thought possible for the man.

Lumine was fortunate that Kaeya and Amber had left by then, she'd never hear the end of it. Her absolute most loathed enemies coming to her inn and handing her a bouquet, Kaeya would have a field day with it. He'd, of course, notice the glimmer in Lumine's eyes, and holdthatparticular detail to her as , for some ungodly reason, Lumine's heart skipped a beat. She covered her mouth, staring at the bouquet and the Fatui recruits with wide eyes. She felt her cheeks grow warm, warmer than they should have been. As she reached out to take the flowers from his too-large hands, she whispered, "T-Thank you."

Behind her, Zhongli cleared his throat to remind her of his presence, "I must say, this is… quite unconventional. Do you do deliveries for everyone, or just Tartaglia?"

The pyro archer nearly coughed up a lung in the background at the mention of Tartaglia. All three recruits shifted with discomfort, as if they were ready to run away and go destroy something to erase this experience from their minds. The leader bowed his head, "Only the Harbinger."

"Oh, well, that's unfortunate. I have a few contacts that are expecting a letter soon…"

"Just the Harbinger," the distorted voice grew heavy as he bowed in respect to Lumine, "Master Tartaglia said that you were someone very important."

The bouquet was bigger than Lumine's head. She held it to her chest, letting the floral scent waft up her nose and cover her in warmth. She'd never gotten a bouquet before, never from someone that wasn't her own brother. With her heart contracting in her chest and her lungs quickly draining of air, she buried her face into the flowers, peaking at the recruits above the petals, "Was he the one who told you to get these?"

"Y-Yes my lady!"

Another warm blush. Behind her, Paimon's eyes widened in horror, "Why didn't the stupid Harbinger give these to you in person?!"

"I don't know…" she stroked a petal absently, "I can't figure out whether I want to thank him, or kill him."

Kill him, obviously. There was a veryobviousanswer to this twisted show of affection. Paimon and Zhongli shared a look of concern between them, a look that spread to the bed and breakfast staff, a nearby janitor, and even the Fatui recruits themselves. It was not considerednormalto have steriod-ridden, trained soldiers bring flowers to someone.

Paimon floated to Zhongli's shoulder and leaned on him, whispering, "Paimon thinks that Lumi's going crazy…"

"Most likely," he cleared his throat, "do you think she has a fever? Is she becoming delusional?"

She was not. Lumine sent a smile to the Fatui recruits, the very action making them stand up straight to attention, "Thank you, I appreciate it… Could you do something for me?"

The electro vanguard turned red and gave her a Sneznhayan salute, "Yes, my mistress?"

His Mistress, she kind of liked the sound of that. With a tingle of excitement - and ignoring the horrified screech from Paimon behind her - Lumine lifted her chin as she stared down the Fatui. Even if they were all taller than her, she was far higher above them in that moment. It was a good feeling, one she didn't know she'd ever wanted. "I want you to go to Daudapa Gorge and clear out the hilichurl camps for me, okay?"

Paimon gasped in absolute horror, "L-Lumine! You can't do that! It's your job to-"

"It'll be fine, it means less work for us."

"No! Lumine, you can't just boss around the Fatui!"

"Yes I can," she sent her an innocent blink, putting on her most angelic face, "He called me his Mistress."

Zhongli put a hand to his chin in thought, "It does sound like it would be faster than doing it ourselves…"

"Don't agree with her!" The pixie was screeching now, kicking her legs wildly in the air, "Don't encourage this bad behavior!"

The only bad behavior happening was Lumine manipulating the Fatui recruits obvious fear of Childe, and she didn't quite count that asbad. Holding the bouquet closer and lifting her chin at the soldiers, she lowered her voice in a threat, "Go. Do as I say, or Master Tartaglia shall hear of your refusal to listen."

Paimon gasped again, "M-Master Tartaglia? That loser Harbinger?"

"I like a man with power, Paimon."

"That's disgusting!"

Zhongli put a polite hand over his mouth, "I think I might… go on a walk… and try to erase those words from my mind forever. Excuse me."

The recruits watched Zhongli brush past them and head to the door, his face pale and his brows furrowed. Jerking a thumb in his direction, the vanguard looked at Lumine, "Do you want us to off him too?"

"Oh, no, no," she waved a hand and buried her face into the flowers again, "he's fine, just a bit old fashioned."

Paimon zipped up to her shoulder, "You don't have to be old fashioned to be disgusted by something like that! Paimon wants tobarf!"

"Then go barf, you wuss."

"W-What?!"

Lumine glared over her shoulder, "I like flowers, Paimon. I like flowers, power, and strength. Is that a crime?"

"When it involves a Fatui Harbinger," the pixie crossed her arms, her eyes wide and her chin lifted, "then yes, it does! He literally commits crimes, like every day! Paimon thought your standards were higher!"

The vanguard and his party glanced towards the door nervously. He jerked a thumb over his shoulder, "Can we go?"

"Yes," Lumine seethed, "go and clear out Dadaupa gorge.Now."

"Y-yes ma'am!"

"Oh," Paimon put her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes as the Fatui soldiers retreated from the tense air, glad to be out the door and away from the ardently angry pixie/little girl duo, "So now Lumi's bossing around these guys? You're not their Mistress, and you're not the Harbinger's girl!"

The Harbinger's girl.The Harbinger's girl.Lumine's world nearly stopped from those three words in unison. Childe's girl.His. The Harbinger's. While Lumine would never be specifically anybody's property, the very thought of beingsomethingtosomeoneburrowed it's way into her chest and made it's home there. Childe's girl? Could she be something like that?

Never in a million years.

He was entirely uninterested in her, she could tell from the way he looked at her. There was no love in his eyes, no soft touches that betrayed his emotions. If he did touch her, it was from necessity. If he spoke to her, it was due to his job and wanting to use her for the gnosis. He had even just kissed her out of pure frustration, she understood that. There was absolutely nothing between them but friendship, and he'd had these flowers sent to her just to annoy her.

But jokes on him, she wasn't annoyed. She was utterly touched. She was even a bit charmed, no matter how odd it seemed to Paimon and Zhongli. "You're overreacting," she told her floating friend, offering a reassuring smile - and ignoring how the Fatui recruits could barely fit through the door on their way out. "He's just trying to get on my nerves."

"Then why are you blushing?!"

Caught, put in the spotlight. Lumine tensed and turned away, "I told you, I like flowers. There's nothing wrong with that."

"Yes there is, if they're from a Harbinger!"

Lumine didn't like fighting with Paimon, it was so different from fighting wit Childe. With Paimon, she was so innocent, so sweet -sometimes. She rarely deserved Lumine's ire. It felt like arguing with a toddler. Turning around, she sighed, "I'll go put these in my room, I'll be back in a minute."

Paimon sighed and rested her forehead in her hand, "Just be careful, Lumi, Paimon doesn't want to see you hurt."

"I won't…" her chest contracted in guilt, "I don't even like him, believe me. I just think the flowers are nice."

"The loser Harbinger didn't even bother to hand them over personally!"

That was the point, that was the absolute kicker of the situation. Lumine had fought what felt like hundreds of those Fatui skirmishers before, to boss them around and see them kneel in fear, it was like a dream come true. So often she had been knocked down by an electro vanguards hammer, over and over again. It was as if Childe had read her deepest, most sadistic mental desires, and delivered exactly what she wanted.

The flowers were nice too, of course.

Lumine raced up the stairs with Paimon in tow, gingerly placing the bouquet down on her bed and ignoring the myriad of irritable sighs behind her. Zhongli had retreated from the scene as quickly as he possibly could. Lumine spotted him from her window, standing beside the small pond and speaking to a villager.

It was getting dark rather quickly. She knew better than to worry over Childe's safety, he could take care of himself. Rather, she found herself wondering where he could possibly have gone for so long. He'd run off in the afternoon, and had not returned to Springvale as he said he would. Amber and Kaeya had separated from the group already to return to Mondstadt, most likely having arrived back in town by then.

Lumine sighed and left the window, going down the stairs with Paimon in tow. As she went into the entrance room, the sudden bursting open of the front door made her freeze mid-step in surprise. Her heart jumped as she thought of Childe, bursting into the room and sweeping her off her feet, kissing her with the flowers draping into the background as if she were in some trashy novel.

Unfortunately, it was just Amber. She gasped, leaning on the door frame with wide eyes, holding her chest as if holding herself entirely together, her shoulders slumped and her breath thin. Next to Lumine's shoulder, Paimon zipped to the outrider's side and tugged on her headband, "A-Are you okay? What happened?"

What happened, indeed. Lumine rushed to follow Paimon, her hands gripping Amber's cheeks as she lifted her head. Her eyes were wide with fear, unwavering in the rising anxiety of the moment. "What happened, Amber? Are you okay? Is Kaeya okay?"

Amber shut her eyes as if she could ignore the entire world. She lowered her head, brown hair like a wall between her face and Lumine's. She took a deep breath before going on, finally, "I-I ran all the way here."

"Y-Youran?" Paimon jerked back in shock, her hands over her mouth. She and Lumine shared a glance of concern.

"I did," Amber took another deep breath, "Oh, Archon. I need water- but there's no time for that!"

Lumine gripped her shoulders, "I can get you water!"

"No!" She nearly yelled, "It's Kaeya and that stupid Harbinger! They're going to kill each other, like rabid dogs! T-They're…"

Like rabid dogs, teeth tearing with no care in the world, skin ripping apart like paper. Her heart jumped into her throat as she steadied Amber, "What is it? Where did you see this?"

"M-Mondstadt bridge! I ran all the way here," she shut her eyes and exhaled deeply, holding her neck, "We need to stop them before Childe kills him!"

Childe couldnotkill Kaeya, that was utterly preposterous. Lumine stopped in thought as Amber pulled away and moved towards the road, ready to lead her to the scene of the action. Her words sat uncomfortably in Lumine's chest as she glanced at Paimon for confirmation, gaining nothing. "He's… Childe's not really that strong, is he?"

Amber stared at her as if she'd admitted to eating dandelion fluff and getting dry mouth for fun. "He had Huffman with him. He was going to do… s-something, I don't know."

Huffman. The Fatui Harbinger hadHuffman, a boring knight of Favonius who spent his days patrolling the city. He had not even been asked to go on the journey with the Grandmaster, that was howboringhe was. It was not as if Lumine didn't know this, in fact it was the boring-ness that drew her to him. He could not possibly disappear during a fight with an unknown God if he was a man that spent his days walking around, looking at nothing. That was what was nice about him.

And now, he was part of something bigger than himself. He had been taken by a Fatui Harbinger, and most likely for the purpose of her own feelings. Childe was protective like that, always glaring at every man she ever showed interest in, as if he was about to rip them apart, limb from limb. She assumed he'd join the council of Big Brothers at some point, if Diluc would have him - apparently, they met for ice creams on Fridays, but they never let Lumine join.

It was no time to ponder on the existential wonders of a Fatui Harbinger being her older brother, she had to stop him from killing Huffman. While the knight had been off her mind for the last several days - thanks to Childe's ability to distract her from everything besideshim- she didn't want him to be in the hands of a Fatuu. Amber had already gone down the road, passing by a startled Zhongli beside the pond as she ran. Lumine took off after her as Paimon disappeared at her shoulder.

"Gotta go," she explained to the funeral consultant in hurried tones as she ran, not bothering to give him a glance, "Childe and Kaeya are fighting, I've got to stop them!"

He stared with wide eyes, "Did you put up your flowers? Windwheel asters need copious amounts of water, it is said that they grew from the archon Barbato's power and-"

"I really don't need a lecture right now, Zhongli!"

"Did you put them in water?"

"No!"

"Then they'll die," he put a hand to his chin, his skin reflecting off the blue glow of the pond, lit up by fireflies, "you should've put them in water-"

"Zhongli, I really can't talk about that right now!"

"Why ever not?"

Lumine didn't bother with an answer. She rolled her eyes, groaning and running after Amber down the road. In the distance, the bridge over the cedar lake lit up with blue ice and the sounds of clashing swords.

As Lumine ran, Zhongli looked at his newfound companion. Hopkins the Marvelous, a mouse of a man who had entertained Zhongli with his stories of trades and battle. "I think I might return to Liyue and let them take care of it, do you think that would be wrong?"

"Nope!" Hopkins the Marvelous put his hands to his hips, lifting his chin to the sky above, "You should do what makes you happy, Mister Funeral Parlor Consultant! If leaving your friends behind and going to Liyue does that, then do it!"

"Yes," Zhongli mused, putting a hand to his chin in deep thought, "I might just do that… I've never experienced being a third wheel until now, and Childe and Lumine are… Well, they're a bit much."

"They'll get by on their own!"

"Yes," Zhongli pounded a determined fist into his palm, "they'll be fine on their own. Thank you, my friend. I'll be heading back to Liyue first thing in the morning."

Zhongli, in his innocence of being a literal God who could hardly connect with people on the level he wished, had no idea that Hopkins the Marvelous was drunk off his ass. He took another swig, nearly falling backwards as he did so, "J-Just be careful! The journey will be scary on your own!"

"Oh," Zhongli patted his shoulder, "I've dealt with far scarier, trust me."

"Scarier than a woman in love?"

Hopkins had one eye closed, his mouth half open. He smelled faintly of body odor, and wine. The wisdom that poured from his mouth was a constant waterfall, raining over Zhongli as he floundered in this human world. He wanted to be mortal, to understand these humans and why they acted the way they did. It had been something he'd wanted for so very long.A woman in love truly was a terrifying sight to behold. Which was exactly why he wanted to avoid that. If he were to be a mortal man, he would not take it upon himself to solve these human problems. Childe and Lumine could take care of themselves, return to him at Liyue harbor and carry out the rite of parting as he wished.

It was decided. He could not hide behind his identity any longer. He was Zhongli, a mortal man who had no business in the dealings of mortals.

"I'm going to…" he stepped away from the drunkard, glancing at the bed and breakfast on the hill, "I'll just put lady Lumine's flowers up for her, and write a note explaining where I've gone," another flash of cryo in the air, coming from the bridge to Mondstadt, accompanied by the sound of clashing weapons and humidity in the air, "She can handle that on her own. It's not my duty anymore."

"Right, man," Hopkins raised a fist, "Stick it to 'em!"

"I'm… not really sure what that means… but I'll try my best," he turned to take his leave, "I must go gather my things, and ask the pixie if she would like to join me," he mused thoughtfully at the sky above, "Paimon seems just as tortured as myself. Perhaps she would enjoy a break."

The drunkard laughed again. He threw a fist into the air, taking the geo archon aback as he celebrated in place, "Ditch 'em! Just ditch them all! Steal everything they've got!"

"I… won't be stealing anything-"

"Stick it to 'em, bro!"

"Right," Zhongli clenched a fist and nodded in determination, "Yes, indeed! Stick... it... to them, my brother!"

The only conclusion to this mess worse than Lumine and Childe being left alone in the wilderness together, was Lumine happening upon a half-dead Childe on the Mondstadt bridge.

She knew his silhouette, the shape of his hair and body as he lay on the ground, clutching his waist with both hands and groaning at the sky above. He was acting as if he'd stubbed a toe, as if there was not a puddle of blood underneath him. Lumine's heart jumped into her throat as she abandoned Amber's side and ran to meet him.

Her knees would be bruised the next day with how quickly she fell to them. Clutching his face, she pulled him closer, gasping for breath as ifshewas the injured one. He groaned as she held him, "L-Lumi?"

"Are you okay?" She was frantically running her hands over his chest, to his abdomen, where the dagger wound lay sticky and hot against his clothes, "Who did this?"

"Kaeya," he answered gruffly, his eyes still shut, "He was… trying to prove a point."

"A point? He stabbed you!"

"Yeah..." Childe glared over her shoulder, "Didn't even have the guts to kill me. Some people are just so rude."

If Lumine had to choose sides, she would agree with the Harbinger. It was quite rude to stab someone and leave them bleeding out on a bridge, even if the dagger barely did any damage. With her heart threatening to choke out every gasp of air, she held Childe closer to her. He was warm, smelling of sea salt and evergreen, mixed with the overwhelming taste of rust and metal in the air from his blood. "What were you fighting over?"

"Nothing," his answer was immediately and entirely too nonchalant for a man bleeding out on the ground. He tilted his head, finally opening his eyes and glaring at the sky over Lumine's shoulder. While his face lacked color, his voice was full of strength, sounding almost normal, "Don't worry about me, printsessa, he just scraped me enough to make me dizzy, that's all. He didn't even hit a vital organ."

Lumine glanced at his abdomen. His entire stomach was covered in blood, soaking through his clothes and dripping onto the ground. While the wound itself was on the side of his waist, right above his vision, the blood loss would be enough to knock him unconscious for a bit. She sighed as she realized that Childe would, yet again, be stubborn with this. "Why can't you ever just let me take care of you? Why can't you just admit that you're hurt?"

He narrowed his eyes at her, "I'm not hurt."

"You are!" She pushed him off her lap in a huff, "You're so stupid! You disappear, go into Mondstadt and get into a fight, and make me find you like this? Do you think I enjoy that?"

"I was defending you!"

Defending her, he says. Behind Lumine, Amber watched with thin lips. It was obvious to the outrider that he was not seriously hurt - most likely hamming it up for the attention, she knew if Kaeya wanted to kill him then that dagger wound would be placed very much differently. Lumine ignored Amber behind her and pulled at Childe's hair, concern being replaced with absolute furry, "I can defend myself! What're you thinking, idiot?!"

"I'm gonna go," Amber jerked a thumb over her shoulder in the direction of the city, "Do you want me to get Barbara?"

A huff, "No, I want Childe to suffer a bit more."

"Right," another grimace, a hesitant glance at the traveler, "I'll, uh, send you a letter soon, Lumi. Enjoy your… uh, mess."

Her mess. It was true, Childe was her mess. Even Paimon had disappeared in absolute disgust.. Lumine cast Amber a glance as she left, a million apologies in her eyes for her very exhausted friend. It seemed that everything in her life had only grown more complicated once she'd met Childe. The reminder of such made her deliver another swift punch to his arm as he lay in front of her.

"Listen," the Harbinger leveled her with a serious gaze, albeit a bit dazed, as if he had no idea where he was, "I have a plan, Lumi, and I won't let you ruin it like you have with everything else in my life so far."

"Oh," the fire was lit in her chest once more, she could've breathed pure flames if only she used pyro, "I've ruinedeverythingfor you? So sorry to hear that!"

Yes, she should be sorry. She was a blockade in the way of the Tsaritsa's future. He gripped her hand, his vision blurring as he stared up at her. She was golden in the moonlight, even with her glare that could kill. She remained, still, the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. "You don't ever realize the truth, do you? You can't see past your own ass."

"I-I can't even see my butt!"

"It's a phrase," he shut his eyes tightly, "You can't see past your own problems, Lumi. You don't ever think aboutwhyI'm doing the stuff I'm doing,whyI got into a fight with Kaeya, or why I was in Mondstadt in the first place."

"Well," she snorted, her fingers lacing into his hair and giving it another tug, "you didn't tell me, that's why."

She wasn't stupid, he knew that. She wasn't obtuse. Lumine was smarter than he could ever imagine, far more resourceful and far more witty. She was simply another star from a different galaxy, her experiences in life so far away from his that he could not even begin to imagine it. She was not subtle, nor was she secretive. Lumine was like a sword, sharp and fast and in your face, coming at you from angles you could not even imagine. She just wanted the truth told to her in all honesty, and he hated that he could not give her that.

But just this once, as they were in Mondstadt, testing noctilucous jade and preparing a funeral for a God, he could tell her. He could let her know what he was doing, even if it was entirely villainous. She was his starmate, after all. She had to put up with him no matter what - the stars really did seem to have terrible senses of humor. That, or they were cruel.

Ajax - he was merely Ajax in that moment, as he bled out on the bridge to Mondstadt - put a hand to her cheek, relishing in the feeling of her skin underneath his fingers, "I wanted to make Huffman apologize to you for hurting your feelings."

She grew warm, he could feel it underneath his thumb. "Was that your big plan I interfered with?"

"No," he closed his eyes against the exhaustion, "I wanted to fight Diluc too."

"...Fight Diluc?"

"Yes, and summon monsters in Mondstadt. Then," he gave a serious nod, his mind utterly clouded by the blood loss, "you would stay here and help out in defending the city, and I could go back to Liyue and get the gnosis. Then, after that…"

Lumine was shaking with anger. He hardly registered it, her sudden heat underneath his hand, her glare that could end his heartbeat in a second. Her eyes widened, her lips parted, and her chin lifted. The air around them grew thick, though Ajax could hardly notice anything else in the moment other than how absolutely, devastatingly beautiful she was. She was everything he'd ever wanted, strong, feisty, determined, loving, entertaining. He never knew he wanted anyone before, not until she showed up in his life.

He did not even notice her glare, her frown, her steely-hard eyes as she stared down at him. He could not register her fingers gripping his hair, her stiff shoulders and tense hands, "And what would happen after that?"

"You'd hate me," he sighed, he couldn't lie to her anymore, not now, when his vision blurred and his body ached against the massive amounts of blood seeping from his wound, "And then you'd leave, and let me win. After that, you'd forgive me eventually, and we could… you know…"

"What?"

How could she not know? "Kiss, and get married, and have nine kids."

She gasped in horror,"Nine kids?"

Nine kids. Slowly, he blinked up at her blurry visage, "I'm the fourth child in a family of seven and my parents got by okay, why can'twereach for even better?"

"You're not the one pushing these kids out of your body!"

"I'm doing work," he turned away, glaring at the stones beside his head, "it sounds really tiring to make that many babies."

"You're stupid," her fingers left his hair, making him suddenly cold as she stood, "You're not a very good big brother, you know, you didn't even ask me if IwantedHuffman to apologize."

There were so many things wrong with that statement. So many things he could nitpick, so many things to tear apart and investigate. As Lumine walked away, Childe flipped onto his stomach, stretching out an exhausted hand towards her as she retreated, "Lumi? Could you, perhaps, not let me bleed out on this bridge all alone?"

She waved a hand, "You're fine, you're just being dramatic. Kaeya barely scraped you."

That was true, but did not take away from the fact that he was about to pass out. "L-Lumi, I was going to make Huffman apologize for hurting your feelings, that's nice, isn't it?"

She stopped in her tracks, her hands on her hips and her head held high. She had her back to him, her dress flowing in the breeze against the back of her knees. "I don't care about Huffman anymore, I like Xiangling's dad. He gives me free food and actually remembers my name."

"Iremember your name!"

"Get up," she sent him her worst glare yet, "you're not terrorizing Mondstadt tonight, or ever. Childe, I can't believe you'd even think of such a thing!"

"I…" he truly was about to pass out, though it was more from exhaustion than anything else. His mom and older sister had always called him dramatic when he was hurt or sick, he would lay in bed and groan until someone was kind enough to bring him soup - usually Tonia, bless her heart. She could never resist his puppy eyes. Yet, Lumine could. Lumine was having none of his nonsense, no matter how much blood had pooled underneath him from the tiny stab wound on his side. It was always the smallest of wounds that bled the worst. "Lumi, I just want the gnosis, you have to understand that."

She glared at him over her shoulder, "Get up. I'm not going to take care of you, so get up."

It was like he was a little kid again, a puppet moving to whatever direction his parents desired. With a huff, he found himself struggling against his tired limbs, pushing himself up to stand behind her. The traveler had enough kindness left in her to step towards him and wrap an arm around his waist, holding his body on her shoulder.

Childe glared ahead of him. While he knew he was not close to death, he had lost a lot of blood. His vision was quickly slipping away as he leaned on Lumine, taking a step forward and allowing her to basically drag him across the bridge. Even when she was so obviously furious with him, she still carried him home. That was exactly what he needed.

Lumine was perfect for him. He realized it, then, he could never ask for anything more buther.

"I don't want to be your big brother."

Lumine grunted unresponsively, glaring ahead of herself as she dragged Childe along the road, "What?"

He had enough sense of mind to know what he was saying. He knew exactly the words he was trying to get across, the argument against her oblivious assumptions that cracked his world apart, piece by piece. He huffed, taking another step and ignoring the throbbing pain in his side, "I don't want to be your big brother. Earlier you said I wasn't being a very good big brother."

"Well, that's because you're really terrible at-"

"I don't want that, printsessa."

Printsessa, again. He had to be feeling better to be calling her by that annoying nickname. She continued to hoist him on her shoulders, nearly dragging his bleeding body to the lights of Springvale in the distance. He was speaking nonsense, most likely from the exhaustion of bleeding out, "You don't know what you're saying. Come on, I'll get you back to the hotel."

"No!" A sudden jerk of his body, a gasp as he stumbled away from her, his uniform colored dark red with his blood, "I don't want that, Lumine!"

He was being preposterous. The only option was to bleed out in the road, and she would be happy to allow that if he truly desired it. "Then what is it, Childe? I don't understand what the problem is!"

"The problem is being like a brother to you," he clapped his hands together, "stop friendzoning me."

Friendzoning. The word nearly made her gag, "So you don't want to be my friend?"

"No," he gasped with his hands up, "I do, I really do, but I can't handle your assumptions, Lumi, you just assumeeverything. You think I do the things I do because I'm trying to be like a big brother to you!"

Everyone had ever done the things they'd done due to a sense of protectiveness over her. She crossed her arms, staring at the hunched over figure of the Harbinger in the evening darkness, "Every man I've ever met has either been entirely uninterested, or like a brother to me. What makes you different?"

What made him different was how he saw her, how she felt against him. What madehimdifferent were the dreams he dreamt of her, the way she sighed underneath his hands, and the very fact that they'dkissedbefore, and would most likely do it again. After all of that, all of the flirting and the touches, all of the longing looks and the days spent together, shestilldidn't get it.

Lumine truly was the most oblivious woman in Teyvat.

And there was nothing else Ajax could do in that moment but stare. She shone in the moonlight, her glare like honey on his tongue. He sighed, "Did you like the flowers, printsessa?"

Her cheeks grew pink, even in the darkness. She turned away, "Y-yes, I did…"

She did. He knew she did, she was his starmate, and he was beginning to figure out her wants and needs. As little as she knew of that matter, she still was destined for him. And he, for her. There was nothing he could do to change that, and Childe was wonderful at going with the flow, following orders, determining the end goal to his mission and getting there in half a second. He could see how the stars moved, how they wanted him to act and think, how they wanted these two very different lives to collide in an explosion like no other.

And perhaps he truly was exaggerating the stab wound. He had bled a lot, and his vision was blurry, but he could stand on his own. He could glare, he could stand toe to toe with the traveler and keep his head held high. That was exactly why Kaeya aimed for that specific spot, he knew the Harbinger wouldn't be down for very long. He'd had far worse before.

But nothing as bad as this. It was not the stabbing that made this day the fourth worst in his life, it was what came next. It was the final thread of tension between them, snapping furiously in his face.

Ajax couldn't help himself.

"I want you." A whisper, barely carried by the breeze between them, "I want you, Lumine. You don't seem to understand that."

Even now, she couldn't understand. Her shoulders tensed and her eyes widened, "W-What?"

"I want you," another step towards her, an outstretched hand as his every muscle buzzed with excitement. He felt as if he was about to faint, his head growing light with every breath. Nonetheless, he went on, "Lumine, Ineedyou. I don't want to be your brother, or simply your friend. Since the moment I've met you…" since the moment she drew the dagger on him, threatened him, captured him in place with those eyes, "I'vewantedyou."

Lumine stared. Her heart stopped, her blood froze in place. She nearly suffocated on the look Childe wore, that wide eyed gaze with such intensity as he trapped her in place, wrapping her up in the moment and keeping her to himself.

"I want you," another whisper, a voice so unlike his usual teasing tone, his brows furrowing as he stared at her under the silver light of the moon, "Lumine, Lumi, please just want me too…"

And before she could even begin to register his desperate plea, he took another step. Lumine did not protest as he leaned in, smelling of rust and blood and mint, his hand brushing across her cheek. Her heart raced, her blood boiled, her stomach churned in excitement and anxiety. Softly, as if he was barely there, his lips brushed against hers, and she felt his breath fan across her neck.

He was centimeters away from kissing her. "I want you," another whisper, so utterly desperate that she could hardly recognize the man before her. And finally, after another moment of thick silence, he closed the space between their lips. Lumine found herself moving to her tip toes and wrapping her arms around his neck in an urging plea to draw him even closer, deepening the kiss until neither of them could breathe. Her legs were shaky, her heart racing. She felt his lips move against hers, slowly, while his hand brushed across her hip. Another kiss, going deeper, filled with all the words neither of them could say. And another, yet another. He could not possibly pull her any closer, with his hand on the small of her back, and her fingers tangled into his hair. Two more, her teeth brushing against his bottom lip and causing a shiver up his spine. He wanted her. He wanted her so desperately that ithurt.

It was a crime how quickly he pulled away. Immediately, she felt cold with the lack of his presence. Silent, shocked, Lumine watched as Childe stared at her, one hand on her hip, and the other on her cheek.

"So..." he blinked, "I... did that."

The world could have been destroyed in those few seconds, and neither of them would notice. Lumine exhaled deeply, just to check if she was still alive, if she were dreaming this moment. "Yes, you did."

"Well..." his eyes grew blank, "I don't feel very good."

"...What?"

Childe was pale. His eyes were unseeing, his hands shaking. He gulped, took a deep breath, and stepped away.

Then, proceeded to collapse.

It happened in an instant. Lumine dodged as Childe toppled over, leaving him on the ground with a face full of dirt and grass. The tense air between them dissipated like mist. His arms splayed out at his sides, the stab wound bleeding yet another spot onto his uniform. He'd fainted. She watched a feared Harbinger, an omen of ill will and death, faint like an overdramatic actress.

So much for romance.

Lumine sighed and nudged his body with her foot, "Are you dead?"

He breathed, but did not respond. He didn't even groan, fast asleep with a mouth full of grass.

"You're passed out, aren't you?"

No response.

This absurdity of a man wanted her.Hewantedher. Someone wanted her, and it washim, the worst possible option for a boyfriend in the entire universe. Lumine would wager that a dead fish would be a better partner in life than him. One of Klee's bombs would treat her better.Kaeya, of all people, would be a better choice! She could not believe her luck.

But at least he was kind of cute.

"Alright," the traveler huffed as she gripped his ankles, yanking him down the dirt road, "let's get you to safety and close up that scratch. And hopefully…" another skip of her heart, another gasp as she dragged his rather heavy body down the path, "hopefully you'll remember this conversation tomorrow."

Childe did not remember the conversation.

It was not often that Tartaglia, 11th of the eleven Fatui Harbingers, woke with a migraine. It was not often that his limbs felt heavy, nor his tongue dry. It was not often that he flinched at sunlight streaming in through the window, or the sudden warmth of a fireplace near his bed. It wasespeciallyrarefor Tartaglia to feel as if he was hungover, stepped on by a giant, and thrown around like a ragdoll.

Except, he had not drank a drop of liquor that night. A very specific spot on his waist stung with every breath, reminding him of the feeling of cool steel digging into his skin. Of course, Kaeya stabbed him. It was flooding back now, making his migraine pound even harder behind his eyes.

The only thing that could possibly make this situation worse was the sound of Lumine's soft voice and her cold fingers brushing against his temple. He felt the tips of her fingers draw a line from his forehead, to his cheek, to his neck, where she checked his pulse, which was running faster than ever at the scent of her lavender shampoo filling the air. Slowly, hesitantly, he turned his head to open one eye and look upon the golden angel hanging over him.

She was in her night clothes, and he was in his bloodied and stiffly dried uniform. She blended in well with the room, white and pure and soft like the sunrise, watching over him as he recovered from his wounds. She did not bother to smile, only digging her fingers even more deeply into his skin until it became uncomfortable. "Tartaglia…"

He was in trouble. She didn't use that title unless he was in trouble. Faking her smile, he forced himself to meet her gaze, "Lumi?"

"Were you planning to kill Diluc last night?"

Correction: "I was planning tomaimDiluc last night, not kill."

Her finger dug deeper into his neck, "Were you planning to terrorize Mondstadt last night?"

"I had my reasons," he huffed in his discomfort, "I was angry, and something had to suffer-"

"A whole city?"

"Nobody was going to die." Childe yanked his head away, rolling over under the covers and pulling the white sheets up over his head, hiding like a rabbit in a hole, "I had to distract you somehow."

To distract her, and she knew precisely why. He never did believe her when she promised to make it fair between them. They both would win in the end, even if that meant neither of them got the gnosis. Anger rose in Lumine's chest as she set her coffee down and stood from her chair. She'd been waiting all morning for Childe to awaken, having dragged his unconscious body to the inn in Springvale and stitching up his wounds throughout the night.

She hoped he hurt. She hoped his side was sore. She hoped her sloppy stitching would make a scar, something to remind him of his own stupidity. He would be fine in a week or so, butshewould not, not after that conversation, not after what she knew.

Lumine could not help herself. She leaned back in her chair, wanting to create a gap between their bodies. He smelled of winter, mint and evergreen, mixed with dried blood. It was his own, Kaeya was hardly hurt at all, something he counted himself lucky to be. If Childe had not been so distracted with his plans, he would have floored the calvary knight completely. Glaring, Lumine crossed her arms over her chest, "Huffman has to have therapy now because of you."

Therapy. If Childe went to therapy for every instance someone pushed a knife against him, he'd never have a moment of free time. "He'll be fine."

Lumine's voice held a hard edge, "Is it true what you said about just wanting to distract me?"

"Yes, it's true." How could she not believe him by now? He felt as if they'd had this conversation over and over the last day or so, "didn't we already talk about this?"

"Just making sure," she hummed, annoyed. Out the window, the sun shined as if nothing had ever happened, as if Huffman had not been held at knifepoint, as if Kaeya had not stabbed a Harbinger. He frowned as he watched the trees outside of the window move with every wine scented breeze. "Explain yourself," Lumine sighed, "it just doesn't make sense. If you wanted to distract me, why go through the trouble of kidnapping Huffman?"

"I thought I already explained that too," he was sure he looked like Teucer when he pouted, curled up in his sheets and glaring out the window. He looked at everything in the room besides Lumine, searching for an opportunity to procrastinate on his long, complicated explanation. A tense silence filled the space between them. Lumine's gaze did not break from his back. He felt her eyes boring into him, sending waves of discomfort to his chest. Finally, Childe sighed in defeat, "Like I said yesterday, I know he hurt your feelings by saying that you're emasculating, and as your…friend, I don't like that. I just happened to also plan on terrorizing Mondstadt at the same time. Why make two trips?"

Friendwas the hardest word to push out. It threatened to choke him, wrapping it's hands around his neck and keeping him from meeting her eyes. Lumine kept silent for a moment as she processed his explanation, "So… let me get this straight, you were being protective."

"Yes." That was one way to put it.

"But then you wanted to kill two birds with one stone, and distract me enough to keep me in Mondstadt, so you could betray me and get the gnosis?"

"...Yes."

A heavy sigh, laced with irritation, "Do you not realize how contradictory that is?"

"I do," he rolled over and glared at the ceiling now, his side aching with pain, "It doesn't matter if we're friends or not, Lumi, I still have orders to follow. The Tsaritsa told me to get the gnosis, so I'll do whatever it takes to fulfill her wishes. And even if you believe you can make it fair between us," he shot her a look, "I know that it can't. I'm notallowedto make it fair. The Fatui has to win this, one way or another."

The implication in his words was clear. One way, or another, his side would win. No matter how many huge bouquets he had delivered to her, he would carry out the Tsaritsa's orders. No matter how much he made her smile and laugh, he would carry out the Tsaritsa's orders. No matter how much he told her he wanted her, he would carry out the Tsaritsa's orders.

"This is stupid," Lumine slumped over, resting her chin in her palm and glaring out the window, letting the morning sun warm her skin. She looked almost serene, almost peaceful, if not for the furrow of her brows and the red lining her eyes, "You're stupid. You've just been messing with me all along, haven't you?"

What a drama queen. He rolled his eyes and stretched out his arms above his head, dissolving into a sore yawn as his body began to regain it's strength. Passing out never was fun, it always left him disheveled and confused, he'd done it far too many times in his life.

And her words stung, spoken with such truth and confidence. Childe rested his arms behind his head and frowned, "I do mess with you, somewhat, but it's not as if this whole thing has been a scheme. I've noticed…" he narrowed his eyes in thought, "Zhongli is far more willing to work with the Fatui if you're involved. He was so hesitant that night to set up a meeting, until you came along-"

"That night?"

He nodded, "That night I hired an agent to take you on a date, and you stumbled onto our business meeting. Zhongli immediately seemed more at ease when you showed up, as if he was expecting you. It's kind of suspicious, actually."

"I don't understand why." Lumine shrugged and avoided looking at him, her chin remaining in her palm like a petulant child, "You could do all of this yourself, it's not like you reallyneedme to find Rex Lapis."

That was true. He, originally, was going to leave her out entirely. "True, but Zhongli still wanted you to come along. And he's the client so…"

"So what he says, goes."

"Right," Childe stared at the ceiling in thought, "and don't act like you haven't known my intent the whole time, I haven't been doing my best at hiding it."

He sent Huffman to Liyue in an attempt to distract her, he tried to get someone else to date her to distract her, he planned to terrorize Mondstadt to keep her away from Liyue anddistracther. Lumine was sure she was missing some other small distractions and betrayals somewhere, they'd come back to haunt her eventually.

But, it was true. He'd been terrible at lying thus far about his intent to betray her for the gnosis. It wasn't like he was good at keeping secrets.

"Well," Lumine stood from her chair, "unfortunately for you, loser Harbinger, I am fueled by anger and spite. Since you'reohsoconfident that you'll have the gnosis, then it's my goal to make sure you don't."

Wonderful. Lumine could be as stubborn as he was, a trait he was not sure how he felt about yet. She turned around, walking to the door while he pushed himself up to see her go. As she opened the door and glanced over her shoulder, the slyest of smiles grew on her lips.

"I know I'll win," a warning, a threat, an assurance, coupled with a low laugh from the traveler standing in the doorway, "because I know something about you now."

His gaze flattened. "And what is that?"

"Youwantme."

The world could have stopped spinning, and Childe would not have noticed. His blood froze in his veins, his muscles tensing. Every inch of pain in his side was ignored as he stared at Lumine across the room, his eyes wide, with an automatic fake smile plastered onto his face. She had taken him by the throat and held him entirely still, pinned by her words.

He thought he haddreamtthat conversation. He thought it was a repressed memory in the back of his mind. Yet, Lumine's smirk told him everything he needed to know.

She wasevil.

Another laugh, another dangling of the prize over his head. She had been so angry at him for messing with her, nowshewas doing the same. He could almost see the threat looming over him, ready and waiting to be used whenever she saw fit.

He wanted her. He wanted her so badly, and he'd finally said it. He'd finally stopped teetering on the edge of the cliff, and had truly fallen.

Lumine watched with a mischievous glimmer in her eyes. She smirked, leaning against the doorframe as he processed her words with the widest array of emotion she'd ever seen on Childe's face. Disbelief, turning to anger, turning back to bewilderment. With a laugh, she broke the tense, anticipating silence, "Zhongli left last night. He said he had business to take care of back in Liyue. And Paimon went with him, apparently,"

Childe could hardly get over her threat earlier. He wanted her. Sheknewhe wanted her. Whatever terrible occurrence she was planning with that knowledge was unbeknownst to him, a mystery that dug it's claws into his chest and refused to leave. He forced himself to come back down from the clouds and pay attention, "Yeah, uh, I think I'll head back too-"

"Nope!" Another sly grin from Lumine, another jolt of electricity in his chest - the wasps were back in his stomach as well, worse than ever, he never thought he'dlikeher evil smirk, of all things to be attracted to. "I can't let you off the hook. You might go through with your plan of terrorizing Mondstadt and maiming Diluc when I'm not watching you."

There would be no point in terrorizing Mondstadtnow, she would know to not take it seriously. As wonderfully chaotic as that sounded, it would be a complete waste of energy. He sighed and crossed his arms over his chest, "Can I at least fight Diluc?"

"What?" Lumine dropped the smirk in confusion, "No, you were just stabbed, you can't fight anyone."

"I've fought through worse!"

"Childe," she rested her forehead in her hand, "please don't fight Diluc."

"I would like to someday, if possible."

"Fine," she waved a hand in defeat, "just not now. We need to test out the jade, then go back to Liyue," she counted off her mental list, holding up a finger for each task, "make some perfume, get the cleansing bell, buy some kites, hire some people, then get some everlasting incense."

So much work just for one dead lizard. He groaned and rolled his eyes, "I'm glad Zhongli wants you to help, you can take care of all that, I'll just give you some mora and-"

"Childe, you're helping me with this."

"Want me by your side that bad, huh?"

His smirk was gone in an instance as Lumine stared at him. She lifted her chin as if appraising his worth, seeming far taller andfarmorein control than she had ever been, "No, I believe it isyouwho wantsme."

She was evil. She was dastardly, far too sly and far too conniving for his comfort. As Lumine shut the door behind her, leaving him alone, Childe finally let out the breath he didn't know he was holding.

Hereallywanted her.

Notes:

A note of interest!

- So, Childe's character stories mention that he's the 3rd son, and also uses 'sisters' as in plural. Which is why I've been writing him as the middle child, with 2 older brothers and 1 older sister. And of course, Anthon and Tonia and Teucer as the younger ones. But the wiki says it's just 1 older brother and 1 big sister, and I don't know who to believe lol... There may a typo either in the wiki, or the game, or idk. But! I do like the idea of him being the middle kid in this huge family, it makes me laugh

Chapter 10: Kiss With A Fist

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter fornotes.)

Chapter Text

"No, I believe it isyouwho wantsme."

A beat of silence, a shocked and bewildered Childe. With a fake smile, Lumine slammed the door shut behind her.

"Oh dear lord,whydid I say that?" She leaned against the wall, her hands curling into fists and her eyes turned to the heavens above. While her stomach churned in dread, all she could whisper to the empty hallway of the Springvale inn was a desperate, "Why am I so stupid?"

Childe was probably laughing harder than ever. He was probably wiping away tears of joy and merriment, giggling with the absurd hilarity ofLuminesaying something like that. He had said it himself: she couldn't seduce a shovel if she tried.

And he was right. She felt like an utter fool as she leaned against his door and listened to the sounds of his movement in the room. He sighed, the mattress creaking underneath his weight while he muttered darkly in a language she didn't recognize. In her mind's eyes, he was bemoaning having to travel any longer with her, making fun of her, especially after a comment likethat.

Unless, of course, he truly did want her. The figurative angel on her shoulder - who, surprisingly, sounded like Paimon - whispered sweet half truths of all the possibilities she could imagine. He trulycouldwant her, he truly could have kissed her knowing the full implications of such an action. There was a chance that he was not lying. How sweet it was to ponder over these idealisms, to imagine that there was someone in the world who could like her romantically.

But then, of course, the figurate devil on her left shoulder - also sounding like Paimon - reminded her, very sternly, that Childe had a starmate, and she had absolutely no chance at changing the ebb and flow of the universe. The devil, the realism, and the cold truth won the argument immediately.

"Oh," Lumine pushed off from the wall and started down the hallway, talking to herself like a madwoman as she waved her hands around,"Dearest Childe, I believe it is you who wants me,"she groaned and threw her head back, "Stupid, stupid. Why do I speak? Like, in general, why do I ever speak?"

That was not a question she could answer without insulting herself further. With another groan, she opened the door to her room and slammed it shut, making for the comfort of the mattress as quickly as she could. Burying her face into a pillow, she curled up underneath the covers, "The one time I need Paimon to yell at me, and she's not even here. Archons…" Lumine gasped in realization, "She'll start liking Zhongli more and ditch me for him! She'll behistravel guide instead!"

With a swift punch to her pillow, and a kick of her legs underneath the blankets, Lumine fell limp with defeat. Everything she loved had been taken away in a matter of minutes, Paimon, her dignity, the bag of mora Childe had given her - Zhongli was carrying it for her before he left, keeping it on his person as he made his hasty retreat with her best friend at his side.

The funeral parlor consultant had left a neatly written letter beside her bed, folded next to a large vase for her bouquet, and instructions on how to properly take care of asters and cecilias. Lumine had seen the letter last night whilst having the most romantic date of her life - stitching up Childe's stab wound on the floor of a hotel while wondering what 'I want you' means. It was a confusing night, only made worse by the incredibly posh letter she discovered.

It read, as follows:

Traveler,

Paimon and I have decided to return to Liyue Harbor early. Fret not, for I will be taking care of some proceedings for the Rite of Parting while you and Childe find a suitable noctilucous jade specimen. I do not wish to hurt your feelings, so please do not make assumptions of my reasons for leaving.

I have heard this specific occurrence referred to before as the 'honeymoon phase'. Perhaps when that ends, we may resume our travels. I would truly like that.

I look forward to meeting you and Childe in Liyue Harbor upon your return. Please stay safe.

Sincerely, Zhongli

(LUMINE THIS IS PAIMON ! PAIMON SAYS HELLO AND THAT PAIMON LOVES YOU. PLZ DONT B MAD)

She couldn't be mad when discovering that her best friend evenwrotein third person. It was charming, like a little sister that could do no wrong. If only she had not ditched her out of sheer frustration for having to third wheel a couple that was basically nonexistent. If Paimon was gone, who would keep Lumine from getting scammed? Who would pull her hair when she said awkward things? Who would yell at her for putting up with Childe's antics?

Nobody would. That was the problem. It was just her, and the Harbinger.

No, I believe it is you who wants me.The memory hit her like a brick to the face. Lumine groaned into the pillow once more, gripping the sides until her knuckles turned white and her fingers began to hurt. "What was I even thinking? I just looked stupid!"

"Lumi?" The sudden knock at her door tore her away from the muffled screaming match in her pillow. She gasped, sitting up and brushing back the hair floating from her head with static. "Lumi, I heard yelling."

"Oh," a nonconscious grimace, coupled with an unpleasant buzz in her stomach, "Childe, it's you."

"You sound… uh," his laugh was almost awkward, as if he could ever comprehend being that, "disappointed. Expecting someone else?"

Not at all. It was just her, and him. Even Amber and Kaeya were gone - Kaeya would most likely not show his face for a while, having stabbed a Harbinger and leaving him to bleed-out in the cold, alone. Lumine gave up on taming her hair and sighed, "No, you're fine. Sorry, I was just having a… uh, moment."

"Do you need help?"

Help screaming into a pillow and punching inanimate objects like a hormonal 12 year old? Not in the least. Yet, before Lumine could open her mouth to protest, the doorknob turned and pushed open to reveal her invasive visitor, grinning and bloodied for the world to see.

The blood on his clothes was dried, nearly 15 hours old by then, but still very much a noticeable aspect of his person. Lumine furrowed her brows, staring at him as he stood in her doorway.

No, I believe it is you who wants me.Allshewanted to do was vomit.

"Are you okay?" Childe raised a brow, "You look like you're going to be sick, want me to get a bucket?"

And now he was trying to take care of her. First, he lied about wanting her, andnowhe was screwing with her head. His faux sweetness could not trick her any longer, no matter how big a bouquet he had delivered. Glaring, Lumine gripped her pillow close, pretending it was Paimon in the hopes to gather even an ounce of emotional strength, "I'm fine. You should go wash your clothes, you smell like a murder scene."

With wide eyes, as if he had not realized his current state, he looked down and nodded. "Yeah, this is pretty gross. I'll… ugh," a grimace, "I'll go do laundry."

He hated laundry, she recalled. She rolled her eyes, "You're such a little kid, a boring chore won't kill you."

"It might, death lurks around every corner."

The laundry soap might become sentient and try to mug him, she'd seen weirder. "Hey, about what I said earlier," not the vomit inducing line she'd spit at him, Lumine had absolutely no desire to acknowledge that again, "you don't have to stick with me. You can go back to Liyue if you want."

"Giving up already?" Childe grinned, "What happened to your bossiness, don't tell me you're losing your spite already."

He smiled as if he liked her spitefulness. It was most likely yet another trait he made fun of her for, going to the rest of the Harbingers and laughing about how childish and immature the traveler truly was. Lumine crossed her arms, glaring, "I won't let you play your mind games with me, Childe. My brain is an impenetrable fortress that no man may conquer."

"...What?"

She shifted away, crossing her arms as she ignored his presence in her doorway, "You can do what you want, Harbinger. Either stay with me, or go. I don't care either way."

A thoughtful pause, a low hum from his throat. He put a hand to his chin as he stared, "Okay. I'll leave."

"Wait!" Lumine was up and off the mattress in an instant, scrambling across the room to reach him before he left. Her heart raced as she managed to grip his wrist and drop to her knees at his feet. Gasping while she held his hand, she directed her best puppy-eyed stare up to him, "I admit it, I don't know the way to Dadaupa Gorge! I don't want to get lost and be late for the funeral, I don't want to disappoint Zhongli!"

What a wonderful day. Life truly was beautiful. It seemed that every morning delivered a different kind of gift to him, reminding him how truly blessed he was. The smile that grew on Childe's lips was cold, calculating, while he attempted to ignore the internal racing of his heart. "Oh, you need my help? Are you begging, lyubimaya? Pleading?"

The puppy eyes dissolved, replaced with a glare, "I will cut off all of your fingers and feed them to wolves."

"You're still on your knees, you know."

She shot up like an arrow. Turning away with a childish huff and folding her arms, as if she could guard herself against him, she looked everywhere in the room besides his knowing smile. How quickly the tables turned, how quickly she lost her power! She supposed that it was partly her fault for losing confidence, no matter how utterly ridiculous her earlier words were.

"Do what you want, I take it back," Lumine attempted to sound airy and indifferent as she strode back to her bed, "I don't need your help. I'll find the way on my own."

"Okay," Childe tilted his head innocently, "I guess that means I can go back to Liyue Harbor and make the preparations for the gnosis. It works out perfectly."

Lumine glared over her shoulder. There was a small comfort in the fact that Zhongli would be smart enough to not let him win so easily. For some reason, the funeral consultant wanted Lumine involved, running around town and doing his errands, specificallyher. Whatever it was, she had no idea, but she was grateful for the circumstances.

Unworried, Lumine put a hand to her chin, staring out the window in thought, "I know what I'll do, I'll just have a friend go with me to make sure I don't get lost. Perhaps Albedo and Sucrose. Yep," another glance over her shoulder, a mocking smile, "I don't need you at all, loser Harbinger."

"Wonderful," he raised a hand and stepped out of the room, "see you back in Liyue."

She lifted her chin, unaffected, "Yes, see you."

"...I'm leaving now…"

"Right," a casual wave, her back still to him, "bye."

He hesitated in the hallway, "I'm… I'm going, see you later!"

"Goodbye, Childe."

It was as if they hadn't kissed. It was as if hehadn'tspilled his guts about wanting her. He wondered if she even cared - though knowing Lumine, she probably cared too much, and was overthinking the entire ordeal. Childe knew that he never had to worry about the constant word-vomit he coughed up, Lumine would twist it around and find her own conclusion without any help from him.

If only he knew what she was thinking. If only he could read her mind, see past that wall of obliviousness and pride. Whatever game she was playing, he wasn't quite sure how to play along.

"Bye… Adios," another hesitant step back, his eyes lingering on her still form in the hotel room, "Paka… Da skorava…" another beat of silence, and no response. Perhaps she'd understand Mondstadt's slang better, "Auf wiedersehen, schatzi…"

Lumine tensed. She turned around, her glare worse than before, "Did you just call me your treasure?"

"Hah!" He pointed, "So you do understand me!"

Her nose wrinkled in disgust, "I understood that one thing, and only because Lisa calls me that sometimes. Archons," she covered her mouth with her hand, glancing away, "be sweet like that again and I might barf."

How wonderfully charming she remained to be, even admitting that he was sweet. Hewasquite sweet, his own mother often told him so. Laughing, Childe finally moved to leave, "Okay, I'm really going now."

"Bye," Lumine returned to being disinterested, "I hope you get eaten by a lawachurl on the way."

"You're cute. I'll have the gnosis by the time you get back!"

"Okie dokie!"

"I mean it!"

"Suuure."

"I'm leaving…" he folded his hands behind him, walking backwards down the hall. Lumine remained in her room, unresponsive once more, "Goodbye, my comrade!"

Nothing. No response, not even a sigh. He frowned and stood up straight, turning around to go down the stairs and make his retreat. And she was so teasing earlier, so confident, dangling his confession in front of his face like bait on a hook. Childe was beginning to realize that he would hardly ever be able to predict that woman's mood, she changed directions like the wind.

Childe left the bed and breakfast in a bad mood. It was not only the sizable amount of dried blood on his clothes that deterred the people of Springvale from speaking to him, but the glare on his face as well. He stuffed his hands in his pockets, walking past the pond and to the main road leading East.

He wasn't sure what he expected. In his half-unconscious state while bleeding buckets he had confessed to Lumine that he wanted her. He'd told her several times, far too many for his own comfort. And she had said nothing. She had kissed him back, but it easily could have been the tension in the air, or panic from seeing him lose a fight with Kaeya. He just had to do the incredibly romantic thing of passing out, that act alone most likely ruined every chance he had at being desirable to her.

It was not often Childe faced challenges. When he did, he grabbed ahold of them, never letting go until they were beaten. But this particular challenge was of the sort he'd never had to face before, and he had no idea where to strike next. He tried to win where he could, leaving for Liyue just to spite her.

"Man, did you hear about that battle last night?"

Childe froze. The sudden voice coming from around the corner of the cottage was unfamiliar. It echoed around the corner and reached his ears from his spot in the road. Quiet, attentive, he slinked closer to eavesdrop.

"It was over the traveler lady, you know…" a thoughtful hum, "the one who helped in that cooking contest here a while back?"

"Right! Is she hurt?"

Childe leaned in further, pressing his back against the wall. The other man rustled around for a moment before answering, "No, it was the Cavalry Captain guy and this other fellow fighting over her. It got pretty nasty I heard."

"Man, that's stupid."

Itwaspretty stupid. Childe would never have lost to someone like Kaeya if he were paying attention. The scar on his side would continue to remind him of what his teacher taught long ago: a clouded mind brings clouded judgement, and sloppy battle. Crossing his arms and leaning on the wall, he listened on.

"It is," he heard the villager clear his throat, "everybody knows that the traveler and the Chief Alchemist have a thing going on."

Chief Alchemist?

"I think his name is Albedo, they were up in Dragonspine together a month or so ago doing who knows what."

Albedo.Albedo.Childe could have breathed fire in that moment, listening to these faceless men make assumptions about whohisstarmate was with. He hadn't tried to kidnap Huffman, terrorize Mondstadt, and confess his wanting to her for some random alchemist to come in at the last second. He'd put far too much stock into the situation now for him to sit back and allow another man to waltz in and take his place asChief Lumine Irritator.

And he wanted her. He wanted her so desperately. The only thing he wanted more than her, was to know if she wanted him too.

Spite was not enough any longer. Spite would not take him back to Liyue, and the gnosis could wait. Zhongli would preferably have Lumine there as well, for whatever odd reason he'd not disclosed. Quietly, Childe dug into his pocket and pulled out the crumpled missing person poster he'd found yesterday.

'contact Albedo for sightings if Lumine is not available(and Klee)!'

He wasn't sure who Klee was, and why her name was specifically tacked onto the end, in red crayon no less. In the corner of the sketch of Aether, a signature was barely visible. 'Albedo'. He signed his art, as any artist would. He'd probably sat down with Lumine and listened to her describe her brother, staring at her for hours as he used her face for reference.

And Dragonspine, that chilling mountain in the distance. It was much like Snezhnaya, and in Childe's opinion Snezhnaya was the most romantic place in Teyvat. How could it not be? Blizzards and frigid winds, curling up with a lover around the fire, taking off clothes to conserve heat and fight the cold.

The very thought made him clench the poster, crumpling it up and tossing it into the water. He wanted to kick something. He wanted to find this pasta man and challenge him to a duel to the death. There had to be a reason why these villagers thought he and Lumine were together, and Childe was going to reach the bottom of it.

AfterDadaupa Gorge and the dragon funeral. Work came first, of course.

Childe abandoned his eavesdropping, running back to the road and past the pond, to the bed and breakfast on the hill above. "Lumi!" He raised a hand as he caught her mid-retreat, standing in the doorway and speaking to the owner, "I changed my mind! I'll come with you!"

Her gaze fell into another glare. It was all she seemed to be able to do since their conversation. He stopped and rested his hands on his knees, leaning over to take a deep breath as she said her goodbyes to the hotel staff. Turning to him, she crossed her arms, "What made you change your mind?"

Jealousy. And Albedo. He stood up straight, smiling with a furrowed brow, "The Tsaritsa wants the gnosis as soon as possible, and if you get lost you'll hold up the plans."

She rolled her eyes heavily, "You're terrible. Fine," stepping past him, she began her trek down the dirt road, her head held high and her shoulder cold, "but I'm not letting you play games with my head anymore."

"Would you believe me if I told you I'm not good at mind games?" He followed at her heels like a lost puppy, "It's true, I can't play poker to save my life."

"This isn't poker," she snapped, "these are my feelings! And you're just twisting them around to suit whatever pleases you."

He gasped, still following on her heels, "In what way am I twisting them?"

"You said you wanted me!"

This girl, she couldn't hit the side of a barn with how her mind worked. Childe sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose as he walked, "I think that's pretty straightforward and self explanatory, don't you?"

She whipped around to face him, her fists clenched and eyes wide, "Not in the least! You talk about getting the gnosis and serving the Tsaritsa, but then you say stuff like that! You keep kissing me, fully intending to betray me!"

That was a bit less straightforward. Childe crossed his arms, meeting her gaze and not allowing it to break for a second, "Is it really betrayal when I've told you my plans all along?"

"YouknowI want the gnosis!"

"What would you even do with it?" He shrugged, "The Tsaritsa could use it far better."

"I want your Tsaritsa to stop terrorizing the people of this world!"

His gaze fell flat, annoyed, "She has her reasons."

"Do you even know what those reasons are?" Lumine spat back, "Name one of them. Give me a clear answer, and not some prattle about a perfect world. I want a clear, reasonable answer."

That was the terrible thing about it all, Childe didn't have that. He didn't need that. He was part of the Fatui for strength, for his need as a warrior to be fulfilled. He followed the Tsaritsa because she was a warrior too, one he respected greatly. He didn't need to care about her end goals, as long as they didn't hurt his family or take away his power.

The Fatui getting the gnosis wouldn't hurt Lumine in the end. She'd survive, and Rex Lapis was already dead. She could not stay angry at him forever, this was a necessity of his work, and something that could not be set aside.

"Lumi," Childe started, taking a steadying breath and closing his eyes, "I'm not playing mind games with you."

"You're avoiding the question."

He opened his eyes at the hard edge in her voice. It felt like the beginning of something bigger, a pot starting to boil over. "I'm just following orders."

"You're too good to follow orders without question," she turned away, the cold shoulder rising once more, "I can't believe you'd accept that."

Stubborn woman, spiteful harpy. He could hardly stand her sometimes, how she formed these ideas in her mind and held onto them like life itself. Her words were like knives, aimed perfectly for his weak spots. As she began down the road once more, Childe crossed his arms and glared, "You're going the wrong way."

She froze. Turning around, she walked past him, the anger coming off her in waves. It was satisfying, at least, to have affected her so well. Running a tired hand through his hair and sighing, he followed from a distance, "I can't believe I want you."

Lumine quickened her pace in an attempt to create more room between them, "I'm not going to listen to your lies!"

"You are so stubborn!"

"You're a liar!"

"You're just denying the truth because you're afraid of rejection!"

"Childe," she whipped around, freezing him in place with her glare, "be quiet. I will allow you to come with me, but I amdoneconstantly embarrassing myself with your schemes."

He blinked. With his hands in his pockets and his shoulders loose, he tilted his head, "Embarrassing yourself?"

It was as if someone had stolen her breath. She took a step back, cheeks turning pink and eyes wide as she glared past him. Her fingers tapped anxiously on her arms, and her knee bounced. She was cute, even when frustrating him beyond new degrees.

"I… I will just never speak again," Lumine nodded to herself proudly, "I'm done speaking, it's official. I'm not going to fall for your little traps where you try to make me do something humiliating."

"...What?"

She narrowed her eyes, "You only said you want me because you thought it would be funny, and then my dumbass goes and plays along. I kissed back," she counted on her fingers, "I took care of you, I said that terribly cheesy thing this morning. And you're just going to go back to Snezhnaya and laugh about it with all your stupid Harbinger friends."

That was the problem? That was where her mind went? Could she be any more dense?

Childe desperately wished that he didn't laugh. He desperately wished there wasn't joy bubbling up his throat, hardly stifled by his hand as he stared down at Lumine. He couldn't help it, no matter how hard he bit his tongue. The laugh escaped, coupled with a snort as he held his stomach, "Oh, gosh. Lumi, really?"

A confused frown, an unamused glare, "What?"

"Y-You," he gasped for breath, "you think I told you that because I wanted to make fun of you?"

"Well… why else would you do that?"

"Maybe it's because,ohI don't know," he stifled another laugh, "because I like you?"

She blinked. Narrowing her eyes, the curious look turned into a glare. She lifted her chin and looked away, processing his words in tense silence. "I… don't believe you."

"Lumi, come on," the laughter dissolved in an instant, "you are so stubborn! Just trust me for a minute!"

"I'm done trusting you," she crossed her arms and turned away, "I'm done being naive and gullible! It just gets me into trouble, it always has. From now on," she pounded her fist into her palm, "I will be completely silent."

Complete silence. There were times he truly wanted that, but now was not one of them. He chased after her as she speed-walked down the path, her fists clenched and her lips sealed. "Lumi, babe, come on."

She cast him a deadly glance, yet remained silent. "I'm just going to keep calling you annoying nicknames until you tell me to shut up, sugarpie."

He could read the disgust very clearly on her face. Going on, he took the spot beside her, "Babycakes, poodle juice, sugar spit."

That was a good one. Lumine visibly shuddered.

"Moonpie, lovebug," his mom used that one a lot, "my darling sun and stars, my universe." Another minute of walking in stony silence, her cheeks turning pink with every passing nickname, "Oh, how about honeybear? Cuddle monster… Hm, little baby buttcheeks."

"Little baby buttcheeks?!"She was on him in an instant, swatting at his arms and kicking at his feet in an attempt to knock him down a peg, "What is wrong with you? That's so weird! Ew!" he held her wrists to keep her hands at bay as she gasped, her cheeks pink, "I cannot believe I kissed you! I probably have stupid moron disease now!"

He laughed, his wrists in her hands, "You can't catch it if you're the one that spread it in the first place!"

"The only thing I spread is chaos!"

That was true. Gripping her arms, he leaned in, his breath hot on her neck as she froze at the sudden proximity. Taking another step forward, as she stepped back, he pinned her to the thick trunk of a tree beside the road. The air of irritation and teasing was gone, replaced by a certain kind of heaviness Lumine could not pin down. Her stomach warmed in excitement, her knees growing weak. Childe did not allow for even a centimeter of room between their bodies as he ran his lips down her neck.

"I got you to talk again," a whisper, laced with amusement, "Won't you believe me when I say that I want you?"

"No way in hell," she nearly growled, pushing her body against his, her wrists pinned against the tree, "that's just a surefire way to get myself hurt."

Childe pulled back, "Lumi, I'm being honest. Once I get the gnosis and this whole thing blows over, I want to try being with you. I can't deny it anymore, I want to be at your side."

His heart raced, his muscles tensed. Slowly, deliberately, he loosened his grip on her wrists and stepped back. Lumine stared at him as if she didn't know what to believe, whether she should punch him or hug him.

It didn't matter how sincere he sounded, how desperately he looked at her. No amount of confessions would erase the reality between them.

It was unfortunate for him that his starmate was slipping into the first of the five stages of grief. He'd gone through this as well, and had now arrived to stage three, bargaining. Lumine could be his starmate, if she gave up on getting the gnosis then theymightbe together.

Lumine was in the first stage, denial. Her glare turned to confusion, to surprise, and back to anger. She narrowed her eyes, "I'm going back to being quiet."

He groaned as she slipped out from under his arm, walking down the road in cold silence. "Come on, Lumi, stop being stubborn!"

Childe knew that she wanted to argue with him. She wanted to huff and puff and tell him that she wasnotbeing stubborn, nor was she spiteful, nor was she incredibly embarrassed and prideful at how easily swayed she was by his affection. One kiss, one 'I want you', and she was teasing him like a girlfriend already. Not that he was complaining, that was what he wanted.

With a sigh, he followed her. She was going the right way now, watching the road ahead with steely eyes. In silence, Childe followed her towards the narrow pass, ignoring the grumbling fruit salesman and the warnings of dangerous monsters at the end. Lumine continued to not stay silent, not allowing another word to escape.

An hour passed - complete silence.

No amount of goading could open her lips. Even when hilichurls attacked, she did not breathe a word. The unsettling feeling began to sink further down into Childe's stomach.

Two hours passed, Childe was growing tired of staring at the back of her head as they walked. Lumine did not even chase after birds as per usual.

It was absolutely dreadful.

Two hours and 45 minutes, they stopped to sit on the side of the road and eat sunsettia in tense quiet. It, too, was dreadful. His knee would not stop bouncing from the pent up energy and frustration. Lumine remained perfectly still, calm, as if she wasnotfueled by pure spite.

"Hey," he nudged her, pointing down the road, "that guy's got a dog."

As expected, her head whipped around to see the animal, but she would not allow herself to squeal in joy. He'd seen her sprint after dogs before, roll around on the ground with them fake growling and scratching behind their ears. The calm, cool demeanor did not fit her in the least.

If the passing bystander with a cute dog didn't work, something else should. He took another thoughtful bite into the sunsettia, and pointed up, "There's a bird. Looks pretty meaty, huh?"

Lumine did not even glance. Silence.

"Oh, look at that lizard, Lumi."

Silence.

"Hey, want me to go put out that flaming flower for you?"

She shook her head no. That was something, at least.

"You're just doing this to aggravate me, aren't you?"

A head nod, that was even better.

"That's pretty rude, you know."

Silence once more.

"Lumine, stop being immature and just speak to me," with a sigh and an eye roll, he threw aside the sunsettia core, standing up from their spot on the side of the road. He brushed off his pants - he did take a moment to change into extra clothes earlier, somewhere in between the silent treatment and the hilichurl ambush. "I don't understand how me kissing you and telling you my feelings turns into…this."

She glanced up, frowning. With another bite of her sunsettia, she chewed with a glare. Complete, and utter,maddeningsilence.

"I grew up in a house of nine people," Childe rubbed his tired eyes, sighing into his hand, "I have six siblings. Can you imagine how loud it is at my house? Constantly, Lumi, someone isconstantlyyelling, myself included. Do you know how weird this is for me? I've never been this quiet for this long."

Even in the abyss, he talked and talked and talked. Skirk nearly tore his tongue out. He learned how to be quiet eventually, for the sake of his life and the ears of his teacher, but Childe was not very used to quiet. When collecting debts, he was only quiet when he needed to be. When addressing new recruits, he yelled. In battle, he did not hold back in creating loud chaos. He was not a conniving man, he did not sneak around, he was not silent as a shadow like La Signora. He was Tartaglia, the Tsaritsa's walking weapon, and he did not bother with silent treatments.

Lumine was driving him up a wall. "Lumi please say something. Anything."

"Anything."

"Oh," his heart skipped a beat as he gestured to her, "she speaks! The silent statue woman of Mondstadt speaks, finally! She has blessed me with her sweet, beautiful voice!"

"Don't condescend me, I'm mad at you."

"But why?" He flopped onto the ground beside her, kicking up dust along the road. With his hands flat behind him, he leaned back to sigh at the sky, craning his neck and ignoring her heavy glare, "I'm sorry, but I really don't understand. Do you give every guy who likes you the silent treatment?"

She huffed and crossed her arms, "Only when they're lying about it."

Another groan and a roll of his eyes, "Then why are you doing it to me?"

"Because you're lying about liking me."

This woman could not get any worse. He sighed, finally looking back at her to meet the glare, "I think you're scared. I think you're afraid of accepting that I might actually have feelings for you, because you don't want to admit that I've won."

"How have you won by having feelings for me?" She nearly exploded, standing up and brushing herself off, turning to storm down the road and create distance between their bodies, "You're so convoluted!"

"You're convoluted!" Childe scrambled up and chased after her, "I tell you I want you, and you somehow turn that into me playing mind games with you!"

"Because you are!"

"I'm not, Lumi," he grabbed her wrist, stopping her mid-step, "I want you."

A sudden blanket of silence, silence so loud it was deafening. It was as if someone had frozen the moment in time, holding both Lumine and Childe in place as they stared at each other in the middle of the road. Slowly, hesitantly, he loosened his grip on her wrist, and stepped towards her.

The tension was like glass. If he spoke any louder, it would shatter. He whispered, "I want you. I can't believe I have to say it for the hundredth time.I want you."

She stared. Her lips parted as she tilted her head up towards him. She let out a soft breath, flickered her eyes away, furrowed her brows. Slowly, like watching a murder scene, the mooning and desiring look in her eyes dissolved into… absolute disgust.

"That sounds like ayouproblem."

She ripped her hand away and brushed past him. Childe could only stare into the distance, his eyes blank and his lips set into a thin line. "I can't believe this," he whispered to himself, "I cannot believe I'm stuck with her."

And as she walked off, she had the audacity to dig the knife in deeper. She threw her head back, letting out a bitter laugh at his sheer pain. Childe glared, clenching his fist as he watched her retreat,"Lumine…"

The traveler knew better. She was far more perceptive than anybody could ever guess, and she'd heard that tone of voice before. It meant one of two things: 1. Childe was about to challenge her to a fight, or 2. Childe was about to do the most aggravating, frustrating thing possible in an attempt to get under her skin. She went with number two, immediately breaking out into a sprint down the road, not bothering to glance over her shoulder to see if he followed.

As she ran, the wind whizzed past her ears, pushing her dress back and kissing her cheeks in it's warmth. She had to run, or Childe would do something. Probably try to tickle her, or throw her in a pond, or jump off a cliff with her in his arms and glide down while she screamed at the top of her lungs - it happened once, last week, she never forgave him for it.

Unfortunately for the traveler, Childe was faster. He caught up easily, gripping her waist and yanking her up into the air, immediately throwing her body over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. She gasped, her hands balled into fists and punching at his back as he sighed, "You brought this on yourself, zvezda moya."

"Stop insulting me in Snezhnayan!" She pounded on his back, her heart racing and her lungs emptied of air, "I'll murder you! I'll rip out your entrails and smear them on toast!"

"Sounds lovely."

"I'll turn your skin into a leather suit!"

"That's a bit gross, actually. What goes through your mind when you're saying these things?"

"How much I want to kill you!"

"Babe," he hoisted her up further on his shoulder, smiling at the old times. He'd done the same thing the day they met, "just be quiet for a minute while I find us a good camping spot."

Lumine was nearly growling, "Sleep with one eye open tonight, Harbinger."

"I do that every night." He laughed, walking further down through the gorge. It was only the afternoon, but after nearly three hours of intense silence Childe found that he needed a break more than ever. Zhongli and his jade could wait just a bit longer.

"Put me down."

"You'll just run off again."

She sighed, pounding another fist into the small of his back, "Now, Tartaglia. Put me down."

"Make me."

"Childe, put me downnow."

"Make me."

A sigh, a second passing of tense silence. She would make him in the way Lumine knew best - by violent force.

She gripped onto the back of his jacket for leverage, pulling herself forward and stretching out her leg as he carried her down the path. He could not stop her before she summoned a gust of anemo, focusing it around her knee, and swiftly, harshly, destructively, kneed him in the stomach.

It worked.

Childe coughed upon immediate contact, keeling over and loosening his grip on her thighs. She wiggled out of his hands, thanking the gods for solid ground underneath her feet once more. As she stood in front of him, watching him hold his abdomen and cough - he was such a drama queen, she didn't even knee him that hard - Lumine raised her chin in arrogance, "I'm sorry to have to hurt you, but you did ask for it."

He did. He could admit to that. What happened next was the real surprise.

Childe looked up as Lumine grabbed his face, yanking his body closer and tangling her fingers into his collar. He was forced to bend over as she leaned higher on the tips of her toes, and pressed her lips against his.

His heart raced, his mind ran in a million different directions. Shocked, and frozen, he slowly began to register the harshness of her kiss, how deeply she was pushing, how angry she was against him. And he was angry too, she thought he was convoluted when she was the one kissing him right after injuring him.

If she wanted to play that game, he could go toe to toe. With a soft smile against her lips, Childe stood up straight, only pulling away for half a second before hoisting her hips up, and dragging his hands underneath her thighs. Lumine's cheeks turned red as she wrapped her legs around his waist. He smiled up at her, his fingers digging into her skin, and his smile challenging.

"And you think I'm the confusing one," He laughed. With another frown, another prideful huff, Lumine tangled her fingers into his hair once more. Tugging and pulling, she reunited the kiss with a fury hotter than before. As they continued, Childe pushed her back against the cliff wall of the passage, leaning up and whispering between their battle, "You really like me, huh?"

"Not at all," she growled with another wonderful tug of his hair, her body writhing in his hands, "I'm just angry."

"So your first instinct is to make out with me?"

She bit his lip, sending another shiver down his spine. Pulling back, she ran her lips across his neck, "Yes, I suppose it is."

"Well," he closed his eyes and took in the scent of lavender surrounding him, "I'm certainly not complaining."

How could he, when the woman of his dreams was in his arms, tangling her fingers into his hair and kissing his neck? She laughed lightly, returning her lips to his and deepening the kiss once more, pressing against each other as much as their bodies would possibly allow. It felt as if this moment would last forever, carrying on and on as they lost themselves in each other.

And it was wonderful. It was so wonderfully invigorating, as good as a challenging fight. Childe didn't know angry-kissing someone would be on his list of favorite things to do, right up there along with battle. For so long, he had thought fighting was all he had to make him happy, it was all there was to live for. Lumine had shown him so much more, making his heart feel as if it were about to burst.

Until, of course, she ruined it completely.

"W-Wait," Lumine pulled back with a worried breath, her brows furrowed as she brushed his hair with her fingers, "I don't think we should be doing this."

"Whyever not?" he laughed, "That's like saying the sun shouldn't shine, or the snow should not be cold. Kissing you is like…" a smile against her neck, another soft press of his lips to her skin, "it's likebreathing."

"Goodness," Lumine nearly melted in his arms, "that's nice- No!" A frantic shake of her head, "I willnotbe taken in by your honeyed words!"

Childe pulled back, "Honeyed words?"

"Put me down, please."

If that's what she wanted. Slowly, he put her down. Her feet touched the ground, her back against the rock wall as if she could create miles between their bodies. Her cheeks were pink, her chest rising and falling with the intensity of the kiss they had shared. The worst, and most confusing part of it all was her refusal to look at him.

Did he really kiss like a walrus as she said long ago? Was he that bad?

Lumine deflated, closing her eyes and breaking the silence, "I don't know why we keep doing this, it's not like we'd ever work."

Childe was mildly offended by that statement. He couldn't bethatbad of a potential boyfriend, she acted as if the world was about to end. Crossing his arms and stepping back, he gave her an impassive stare, the look he wore when speaking to the other Harbingers. Lumine rarely did anything to deserve his utter lack of disinterest, "You're being in-decisive again. I like you, Lumi, I want you. There's nothing more to it than that."

"But there is," she argued softly, "there's so much more to it. I have to fight for what I believe is the right cause, Childe. And whatIbelieve is right is a lot different from whatyoubelieve."

"This is just one little bump in the road. Once this is over we could easily move on." Speaking so seriously of beliefs, one thing Childe could not believe was how kissing her had turned into yet another argument. He never thought he'd bethatguy, begging a girl to give him a chance. A pitiful feeling culminated in his stomach, sitting inside him bitterly as he realized how he sounded.

He really liked kissing Lumine. He was far past stage three of grief, he was already at five. He was ready to accept it, to stop fighting against it and just take her home to meet his parents.

He had failed entirely. He had tried to play a weak hand against the stars, and had no choice but to fold. Lumine was his starmate, and he was falling irrevocably in love with her.

She stared at him, crossing her arms and leaning on the stone. Even her gaze, then, was pitying, as if she was beginning to realize the extent of his feelings. All she could think in that moment, as this incredibly wonderful/absolutely terrible man confessed to her, was this simple truth:

Childe had a soulmate, and for all she knew, it wasnother.

"I think I can find my way from here," she sighed, looking at the ground, "you should go back to Liyue. We can talk again after I get the gnosis."

"You think I'm going to give up that easily?"

"I was hoping you would."

"Lumi, here's what's going to happen," he put his hands up, "I'm going to get the gnosis, you'll forgive me eventually, and then we can date. Or, alternatively and preferably, you just surrender now, and in about a week's time I can take you back to Snezhnaya to meet my mom."

Another roll of her eyes. She was quickly losing patience with him, the romantic tension between them having disappeared like a thin mist, "You shouldn't want me to meet your mom, loser. We're on opposite sides, you know."

"That doesn't have to be permanent."

"Oh," sarcastic, she perked up, "so you'll quit the Fatui and join me on my travels? Wonderful, let's get married."

His gaze flattened into a glare, "You know I can't do that."

"Yes you can, but you won't."

That too. "Lumi, if you just backed down and let the inevitable happen, then we wouldn't even be having this conversation."

Nor would this be a problem. He had to wonder, though, if he'd ever met her otherwise, if she was not a traveler on the search for the seven archons. Lumine glared, summoning her sword into her right hand and lifting her chin, a look that caused his blood to boil with sudden excitement, "Do you not get it? This," she waved the blade between them, "will not work."

If she was to summon her sword and escalate the tension between them, he would summon his bow. He twirled it around his hand casually, watching her every move with the rising tension in the air, "Why not? If you don't like me like that, then just say so, and I'll back down quietly. But you have this weird idea of how you could never forgive me for doing my job," he notched an arrow as her hand gripped the hilt of her sword, his heart beginning to race with that familiar rush, "I'm just following orders here."

She made the first move. A swipe of her sword, a lunge towards his weak spot. He dodged, taking a step back and aiming for her shoulder. Lumine jerked away just as the arrow whizzed by. Glaring, she stared up at him across the road, "And what about after this? What if your Tsaritsa tells you to kill me, would you do it?"

That was not an easy question, and not what he wanted to hear.

Childe did what he did best in a tough situation, he fought. He let another arrow loose, following her dodges and evasions as she attempted to close the room between them. With another step, he tossed his bow aside and summoned the dual hydro blades, immediately parrying against her attack. "Answer me," Lumine commanded over the sound of clashing weapons, "We can't ignore reality, as much as I'd like to. If the Tsaritsa told you to kill me, would you?"

He elbowed her, twisting around to catch her off guard with another assault. She just barely blocked, both hands holding the sword above her body. He pushed against her further, "She wouldn't tell me to do that, she's not that kind of person."

"Have you looked at your army lately?" Another clash, another grimace, "They're monsters! If she is so kind, then why do half the soldiers live like complete animals?"

Another unanswerable question. Her strength broke against his swords, though she rolled to the side before his weapon could rip through her neck. He would have stopped himself, if she had not moved. Lumine pushed herself back into action with another furious assault of her sword.

"Besides that," they were face to face, breathing heavily between their blades as she spoke, "you have a soulmate, remember?"

"Gods," he rolled his eyes, "you are so dense sometimes!"

"Go back to Liyue!"

"No."

"Go away!" She attacked again, her arms losing strength with each swing of her blade. She breathed heavily, with her knees growing shaky and her lungs full. Childe watched as she shut her eyes and dug the tip of her sword into the ground, "All you do is confuse me, a-and hurt people like Huffman, and try to betray me." With another heavy exhale, she met his eyes, "How can I believe you? I tried, I really did, but I refuse to lose this, Childe."

"I refuse to lose as well," he lifted his chin, staring down on her as she leaned on her sword, "Your determination is just hurting you, girlie, you don't even know what to do with a gnosis."

She glared, "It's not about the gnosis, it's about protecting the people and their ways of life. Whatever the Tsaritsa is gathering them for cannot be good, you understand that, don't you?"

"It will befine."

"Stop lying to yourself," she rolled her eyes, "you're smarter than that. You just don't care about anyone but yourself."

He cared about his family, he cared about her. Even when she made him angry like this, when she made his life far more complicated than it should be, he couldn't not care about her.

Childe stared in stony silence. Lumine returned the look, putting away her sword and taking one last breath, "Go back to Liyue, I don't want to see your face again."

That was that. It was a crack on his world, spreading across his heart and threatening to shatter. They kissed one minute, and tried to kill each other the next. They were not even together, and he already felt broken. "Right, well, I guess you solved this whole thing on your own, then."

She glanced at him in confusion, "What?"

"I didn't want to get close to you," he explained, a hard edge taking over his voice as he refused to look at her, "but I was so bad at staying away. So, you just…" a bitter shrug and a chuckle, "you just solved my problem for me. Thanks.."

"So," Lumine glared, "I was your problem?"

"You have no idea," finally, he met her eyes, refusing to look away now that they were locked in this tense battle of emotion.

"Did you even mean what you said?" She furrowed her brows bitterly, "About wanting me? About liking me? Or have you just been playing another game this whole time?"

He wanted her. He liked her, he loved her. Every word that spilled from his lips mid-kiss was the truth. It was a crime how quickly she'd risen to the top in his life, taking over nearly every other priority with just a smile and a touch. He was pitiful, so easily swayed by a pretty girl. How quickly love had made him weak.

Yet another stony silence fell between them. They'd spent the day frustrated with each other, glaring and arguing, kissing and fighting. He could hardly take another second.

It was time to rip the bandage off, to stop procrastinating. To push her away was what he wanted this entire time, after all, and she was handing the opportunity over on a silver platter. Childe sighed, not allowing his gaze to break away, locking her in place with the cold look in his eyes.

"How could anyone love a pebble in their shoe?"

It was the worst look she'd given him yet. It was not a glare. It was not angry. She was simply sad. With wide eyes, parted lips and pink cheeks, Lumine watched him, the heartbreak clear as day on her face. A twinge of guilt ate away at his chest, but he did not allow it a second thought.

"This is for the best then," she nodded heavily, turning her face away, "Goodbye, Childe."

Tartaglia did not bother with goodbyes. Sending her retreating form one last look, hardening his heart and mind against the shake of her shoulders and the obvious tears in the corner of her eyes, he agreed. It was for the best, it was what he wanted all along.

Plan C: Go back to Liyue, give Zhongli enough mora so that he won't have to see Lumine again, have Ekaterina follow them around town and eavesdrop. Learn where the Exuvia is. Get the gnosis...

Neverthink about Lumine again.

A Week Later

The travels through Mondstadt and Liyue did what they were meant to do. They cleared Childe's head, helped him calm down. And after a series of days camping on the side of the road and glaring at the stars, he finally realized a truth about himself:

He was an idiot.

It was not often that Tartaglia called himself an idiot. It was not often that the opportunity presented itself. While not particularly in love with himself, Childe knew his talents, his strengths, and he played them well. He knew when to stop fighting, what things in life to have opinions about, what people he needed to cozy up to. He knew when to clean the kitchen for his mother when she was having a bad day, or when tonotcome home covered in bruises and injuries when his father was having his migraines. He knew what to hide from Teucer. And he knew how to survive. All of these things Ajax, Childe, Tartaglia, had learned from a young age. He was not dumb in the least.

But in this moment, as he walked to Liyue Harbor with an ever present frown on his face and the feeling of a boulder sitting atop his heart, he knew that he was an idiot.

Not because he lost Lumine, that was what he had wanted all along - No, he was an idiot because he let himself fall in love in the first place. Now, losing her hurt far more than it should.

But, aside from being an idiot, Childe was also honest with himself. He knew that he brought this pain upon himself, a consequence of his own stupid decisions and actions. If he had simplynotfallen for Lumine, he would never feel this way. He would not be walking back to Liyue by himself, getting into each and every fight that he possibly could, and staying awake at night wondering if she was okay. It was a constant waterfall of switching moods, and most possibly in the top 10 worst weeks of his life.

Liyue Harbor shined in the distance, the glowing gem of the East. It was golden and red, lit up even in the middle of the night. The stars above winked as if mocking him as he returned to this city with his tail between his legs, Lumine-less.

As he neared the Northern gate, he sighed and forced a smile. No matter how angry at himself he possibly was, he could not let his subordinates notice that something was wrong. The Fatui were like a pack of starving dogs, one show of weakness and they pounced, aiming for the throat. He kept his shoulders back, standing tall as he strode past the Millelith guarding the bridge. It was dark, nearing midnight, and still far too warm for his comfort.

Childe looked forward to returning to Snezhnaya. He couldn't wait for the frigid air to brush against his cheeks, to wake him up from whatever daze he'd been in since he met Lumine. He was seriously considering the idea of getting a boat and going out on a two month long sea trip with his brothers. He looked forward to it, it had been years since he'd taken time off.

Without a glance to anyone else, Childe made his way to the Northland bank. He didn't feel like retiring for the night, another rare instance in his life. His mind dwelled upon what was next for the Fatui, for the exuvia and the gnosis. He took the stairs two at a time up to the extravagant doors, giving Nadia a curt nod as she jumped at his presence. He'd been gone for two entire weeks without hardly a word, and could only wonder what nonsense the staff had been up to as of late.

"Evening, Master Tartaglia." a receptionist bowed as he passed, "Did you enjoy your trip?"

It felt like forever since he'd been called by his official title. Lumine would rather eat her own tongue than call him Master Tartaglia. He slowed in his walk to the office, sending her a glance, "Yes, has there been any news since I left?"

"Ekaterina told me to tell you that Mister Zhongli returned," she shifted through paperwork as she spoke, "he was asking about when you would be back, something about financial sponsorship…"

"Right. Anything else?"

She chewed her lip in thought, "Those things you wanted came in, La Signora's agent delivered them this morning. They're locked in the safe in your office."

Perfect. All was going according to plan.

"Oh, and," she caught him before he left, waving a hand around frantically, "One more thing, I'm sorry! You got another batch of letters from your family."

He froze mid-step. The plan could wait an hour or so, the sigils of permission would still be there once he finished reading the letters. Quickly, he grabbed the bundle of envelopes she held out, tied together with a fraying string and covered in his sibling's handwriting, "Thank you," an assuring smile, a certain peace settling into his chest, "I'll be in the office. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Master Tartaglia."

He resisted the urge to run up the stairs. As late as it was, the bank still had customers lingering around the entrance. Once in the safety of his office, he shut and locked the door, leaning his back against it and holding the bundle of envelopes to his chest.

Home. A little piece of home in his hands, something he didn't realize he needed so desperately. Grinning to himself, he went to his chair and plopped down ungracefully, leaning back to put his feet up and look at each letter. The office was clean, untouched since last time he entered. He knew behind a hidden wall was the safe where the recreated sigils of permission lay, hidden for now. He hoped he would not need to use them, if Lumine stayed out of his way.

Childe resisted the urge to look at the small couch under the window, where she had spent her week sulking over Huffman. Nor did he acknowledge the spot on the edge of his desk where she would sit and cross her legs, watching him flip through boring documents. The documents never were as boring as usual with her next to him. She questioned each and every debt to be collected as he signed off on their lives, arguing with him every second of the day, until he finally caved and took her to Wanmin.

Huffing, Childe moved a stack of papers to her spot. There, it was covered, and nobody would be sitting in that spot with crossed legs, smelling of lavender and stealing every inch of his attention.

Focus. He needed to focus, get that stubborn, spiteful harpy off his mind. Sighing, he opened the first letter, a barrage of jumbled information from Tonia.

She had the prettiest handwriting, it was bubbly and cute, but tended to run together in rambles, just how she spoke. She called him her knight, bringing a smile to his face as he read of her latest schoolyard escapades. She kicked a ball so hard it broke her classmate's nose. He'd have to send her flowers as a congratulations for that.

Next, his older sister Anastasia. Her sons, his nephews, weren't doing too well. They both had colds, and had recently learned the power of the word'no!'coupled with the newfound ability to throw bowls of soup on the floor. Wonderful. He'd have to send Anastasia and her husband some liquor to help.

He read on. Father's headaches were clearing up, but his arthritis did not enjoy the recent cold front. Mother had gotten the book of traditional Liyue recipes he sent her, and insisted that they cook together when he returned. Anthon had a crush on a girl in the village, he was at that age, after all. His eldest brother had not written anything, as his mother mentioned that he was quite busy with his wife and children. His second eldest had written a very succinct letter on how he hiked up a mountain, went on a date with 'the love of his life' - every woman he ever met was the love of his life, apparently - and began a new business venture.

Same old stuff, the comfort of familiarity nestled into his chest, making him sigh with relief. Everybody was fine. The world was still spinning, moving on the way it always had.

The last envelope was from Teucer. He drew a winking ruin guard on the front, though the wink looked more as if half of its weak spot/core was broken. Childe recognized the colored pencil he'd used as well, a dark blue that Teucer often announced was his absolute most favorite color in the world.

With a smile, he opened the letter, leaning back further into his chair to fall into the comfort that was his family. Even if the stars attempted to control his world, nothing could change his family, not even Lumine.

Big Brother Ajax,

Hello! ! I hope your doing well! Brother Anthon helped me write this : )

Pls stay safe! I know that toy selling can be realy hard sometimes, but i know that your strong and indomitable.

Indomitable. The word was written in Anthon's handwriting, obviously having been given to the older brother for help. Teucer did love his big words.

I've been good! i made some new frends at the school house. I told them that you could kick their asses (dont tell mom i said that). I have also been working on my punches and my aim ! one day i will be even stronger than you! But thats probibly a long time away : )

Have you made any new frends? I hope your doing well. I miss you a lot, please give us some good news! Father has bin worried (i havent, I know your probably fine)

Love, Teucer

P.s. i grew taller by an inch! Isnt that cool?

It was so freaking cool. His little brother was so damn cool, making friends and working on his punches. He could only hope that Teucer wouldn't give his parents as hard of a time as he did. He was only eight, and already wanting to learn how to fight. Childe was 12 when his hellion phase began - he was still in it. He'd have to write his mother an apology for being such a bad influence on the little ones.

Yet, first he must reply to Teucer. As Childe sat back in his chair and crossed his arms in thought, he wondered how to answer his question. Had he made any new friends?

In a way, sort of. Embellishing the truth wouldn't hurt, and it would make his little brother happy to hear about Lumine and his travels with her. And while he was at it, he'd mention her in his letter to his mother, perhaps his sister as well. And Tonia would appreciate him speaking to a girl, she often bemoaned his utter lack of knowledge concerning women.

He grabbed his pen, twirling it around his fingers and staring at the blank piece of parchment. He didn't have to mention that they were fighting right now, or that they are starmates, or that she pushed him away and never wants to see him again. He doesn't particularly have to include the fact that she's supposed to be his enemy, or that he despises the fact that he's falling in love with.

It was just a simple letter about his new friend. That was all.

By around 2 a.m. that day, the 'simple letter' somehow turned into a three page sermon on just how much he enjoyed his new friend Lumine.

He sent it nonetheless. So much for never thinking about Lumine again.

Childe decided, as he dropped his stack of letters off in the mailing bin and rubbed his tired eyes, that this would be the last time he thought of Lumine. The mentions of her to his family would be for the sake of pleasing his loved ones, not himself.

After this day, he wouldneverthink about Lumine again.

If only Paimon did not burst into the bank, 9:00 a.m. sharp, followed by Zhongli. If only Paimon did not zip past the guards and startle the receptionists, screaming at the top of her tiny pixie lungs, "Where is the Harbinger?!"

The Harbinger had slept in late. His back hurt from slumping over his desk, and he had marks on his cheeks from using a stack of papers as a pillow through the night. He'd never even made it out of his office. As Paimon and Zhongli scoured the bank lobby in search of him, Childe stood in the employee break room, leaning against a counter and sipping coffee.

"Is this a blend from Sumeru?" A thickly masked Fatui agent asked, his voice distorted - he was one of those hunters who prowled the wilds, having only stopped by the bank to turn in a collected debt. He lifted the mug to his face and sniffed, "It's… quite rich…"

Childe glanced down at his own cup, "I think it's from Fontaine. It's kind of got that smooth taste."

"What's the bag say?" The agent grabbed the packaging, "Oh, roasted and ground, that's nice. Uh…" he glanced up, "Master Tartaglia, do you hear screaming?"

The only screaming he heard was the pounding headache behind his forehead, and the aching of his neck and back. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath and another sip of coffee. "I'm pretty sure it's from Fontaine. It's got that taste, you know?"

Another scream from the lobby, this time from a grown woman. The clattering of pencils and knick knacks onto the marble flooring, followed by the sound of a deep voice echoing down the hallway, "Paimon, I must ask you to please stop pulling her hair."

"Paimon wants to know where the loser Harbinger is! Where is he?!"

Wonderful. Childe closed his eyes and leaned further back on the counter, "I guess I should go take care of that. Would you mind brewing another batch for me?"

The agent stood to attention, "Y-Yes Master Tartaglia!"

"Great," he set down his cup and sighed, "I'll be right back."

Putting up with an angry imp/pixiethingwas not what he considered a good morning. Usually, Childe preferred to wake up early, meditate on the day's activities and how he could grow stronger, do some training, and then eat whatever was available. It did not, usually, involve Paimon. Nor did it involve an assault on his bank staff.

He left the break room and slipped down the hallway, the sound of her high pitched commands growing louder with each step. "Paimon just wants to know where he is! Pretty receptionist lady can do this the easy way, or the hard way!"

She was an absolute riot, he'd miss those threats once he left Liyue. Stepping into the lobby, he crossed his arms and watched the scene before him unfold.

"I'm really interested in what constitutes the hard way. Care to divulge?"

It was not as if Paimon knew what 'divulge' even meant. She gasped, yanking her hands back from the receptionist's hair and zipping around to take her spot at Zhongli's shoulder. Papers and pencils were scattered across the floor, having been furiously wiped off the bank counter by tiny little hands. Paimon's glare was like a dagger, though Zhongli looked more so exhausted than anything.

Silence fell between them. Paimon lifted her chin, continuing the glare. Childe sighed as he realized what they were waiting for, "Come on."

He turned on his heel and led the way up the stairs to his office. With the way the funeral processions and the sigils were coming along, it wouldn't behisoffice much longer. Zhongli followed behind as he cleared his throat, "Thank you for having us this morning."

"Well," Childe sent a glance to Paimon, "I had to do something before she ripped out that poor girl's hair."

"She deserved it!"

"How?" He pushed the doors open, stepping aside to allow Zhongli through. Paimon stuck out her tongue as she passed, making him smile at the immaturity of it all. Paimon without Lumine was simply an angry floating elf - Zhongli did not match her childishness well enough.

Paimon floated above his desk as he shut the doors. "She wouldn't tell Paimon where you were. She's lucky you showed up!"

That she was. With a sigh, he crossed his arms, "May I ask for the reason for this visit?"

Zhongli was a master at making himself comfortable. He sat in the nearest chair, crossing one leg over his knee and folding his fingers together. Naturally, as if she had been doing it forever, Paimon floated to his side and took the spot on the arm of the chair, legs dangling and kicking like a child's. She glared, while Zhongli only raised a simple brow, "Where is Lumine?"

Childe shrugged. He didn't like hearing her name anymore. "I'm afraid I don't know."

"How could you not know?" Paimon screeched, fists clenched, "Paimon left you with her!"

"We parted ways."

A look of understanding flashed through Zhongli's eyes, coupled with a nod. Childe hated when someone could see right through his mask of politeness and casualty, he wore it for a reason.

"What happened?" He asked, tilting his head and furrowing his brows, "Paimon and I left you two alone for… well," he cleared his throat, "for the sake of leaving you two alone. It seemed to be exactly what you needed."

How wrong he was. And how much of a liar he was. Zhongli and Paimon felt awkward from their constant flirting and tension, Childe was not blind to that. He leaned against his desk, crossing his arms and glaring at the wall, "Well, the second you left us alone we tried to kill each other. It didn't go well."

Paimon gasped, "What happened?"

"Nothing," he shook his head, as if he could shake off the memory, "We just got into an argument, then we fought, and then she told me to leave her alone forever. So…" he gestured to the office, "that's what I did, andamdoing. What have you guys been up to?"

Zhongli got a far off look in his eyes as he mused, "Oh, we've tried various foods, listened to all the storytellers here in Liyue, visited some thrift stores-"

"Don't talk about that right now!" Paimon interrupted with a screech, "Stay focused, brain-dead parasite!"

He nodded, "O-Oh yes, of course. So, Childe," locking gazes, Zhongli narrowed his eyes, "if you and Lumine are not speaking, what will you do next?"

The brain-dead parasite knew better than to assume that the Harbinger would give up. He had to be aware of the Fatui and their intent, as well hidden of a secret that it was. Childe didn't quite feel like playing polite any longer, not when the very mention of Lumine brought an uncomfortable churn to his stomach.

He stood up straight and walked around to the back of his desk, opening a drawer and rattling around for a moment. "When the traveler gets back, carry on with your plans for the rite of departure. Take this," he pulled out a bag of mora, watching both Paimon and Zhongli stiffen in excitement at the sight, "do what you need to do, if you want more, then just come here and find me."

"And…" Zhongli gently took the bag - Paimon ripped it out of his hand almost immediately. "What willyoudo?"

What else did he expect? Other than go for the gnosis the very second he figured out where it was. Childe shrugged nonchalantly, "Be the financial sponsor, of course."

"And… if you see Lumine?"

He smiled and laughed, throwing his head back at the sheer dramatics of it all. Zhongli acted as if Childe was getting a divorce from his 50 year marriage. "It'll be fine, I'll just say hi and move on with my life."

Paimon grimaced as if she was disgusted. Zhongli only raised a brow, looking like he didn't believe him. With a sigh, he stood from his chair, allowing Paimon to drop the bag of mora into his hands with a satisfying clink, "Fine, then we shall proceed as planned."

"Loser Harbinger better not have hurt her," Paimon glared, "Paimon'll rip out all your teeth if so."

"Sounds fun."

"It's not supposed to be fun!"

"I said itsoundsfun, not that it would be."

"Excuse us," Zhongli bowed stiffly, "we must take our leave. Thank you for your time."

Childe stepped past the glaring pixie and opened the doors, "Let me see you out, that's what a good financial sponsor does, anyway." He led them down the stairs, ignoring the flinches of fear from the receptionist whose hair Paimon had assaulted.

As Zhongli stepped past him and made for the door at the end of the lobby, he turned, just for a moment, furrowing his brows and opening his mouth as if he were to say something. Patient, Childe waited, faking his smile. The lobby buzzed with morning energy of people looking at their accounts and taking out loans, signing away their lives.

As quickly as it happened, Zhongli closed his mouth, shook his head, and turned. "Good day, Master Tartaglia."

"Good day, Zhongli," he glanced at the pixie, "And you too, Paimon."

She stuck out her tongue before zipping away to chase after Zhongli. He allowed the door guard to open the entrance, giving him a curt nod before leaving. Childe watched until the doors were closed, and the visage of the consultant and Lumine's other half were finally gone.

Finally, he could breathe again. He sighed, letting the tension loose in his shoulders. His headache had only grown worse from that visit. Turning to Ekaterina behind him, he leaned against her desk as he always did, resting his cheek in his hand and glaring at nothing in particular.

Silent, she continued writing until she finished jotting down her quick note, then smiled and looked up, "Sir?"

"Do you…" he tsked in thought, narrowing his eyes and crossing his ankles, "want to do a job for me?"

"Of course! What job is that, sir?"

Childe flickered his eyes back to her, "When the traveler gets back into Liyue-"

"Lumine?"

She didn't have to lookthatexcited at the mention of his soulmate."Yes,Lumine. When she gets back to Liyue, I want you to follow her around as she does the preparations with Zhongli. Take notes on everything she says. If you hear anything about a gnosis or an exuvia, write it down."

"Yes, Master Tartaglia."

"And…" another thoughtful pause, "don't be friends with her anymore, if you can help it. She's the enemy now."

"Y-Yes, Master Tartaglia, whatever you wish."

Notes:

Notes! So many notes!

- Yes I stole 'How could anyone love a pebble in their shoe?' from a drew barrymore movie. I do not regret this. That is literally one of my favorite lines in the English language and I insist upon using it when I can lol

- I just made up some characteristics and names for Childe's older siblings, share any headcanons you have with me though! I'd love to hear them!

- In an interaction between Paimon and the traveler in the game, Paimon mentions that the traveler is getting good at 'the languages of this world'. Sooo I haven't seen really anything else on the language, but it does imply that there's a language to be learned. I don't really think people in Mondstadt speak German, or that Snezhnayans speak Russian all the time. I kind of see it like every country speaks just a common language, and there are some parts of the country where the old languages are still spoken, kinda like Gaelic in the UK.

Chapter 11: Enter The Golden House

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter fornotes.)

Chapter Text

"There's so much to do!"

"Somuch!

"And without that loser around, I can finally focus!"

"Lumine can finally focus!"

"My focus is better than ever!"

"Better than eve-Hey!Paimon thought you were focused even with Mr. Moneybags around!"

A childish frown, "No, his presence brought my IQ down."

"What's an IQ?"

"International Questing, obviously."

"No, you have that wrong, Lumine," Zhongli sipped at his tea and sighed, "I believe it's Intentional Quacking."

"Zhongli... sometimes I think you just say these things to mess with us."

"Why would I cause a mess on purpose?"

Lumine wasn't quite sure why either, though she still enjoyed messing with Paimon when she could. With Zhongli and the pixie having spent a week or so together without Lumine and Childe's consistent flirting in the air, they had seemed to grow evenmorecomfortable together. Paimon's insults flew at a much faster speed than usual, and the nicknames she imagined were even more spectacular than before. It was an improvement, she thought.

Lumine's new favorite nickname for the funeral consultant was 'Parasitic Mora Leech'. It was a bit of a mouthful, but got the point across well enough.

"Paimon doesn't think IQ stands for either of those things…"

Lumine and Zhongli shared a look over the rims of their tea cups. A tendril of steam twisted into the air in front of her face, quickly blown away by a sigh. She closed her eyes and took another sip, "Neither do I, but it doesn't matter anyway. My IQ has returned to its original height despite the true meaning."

"And," Zhongli set his cup down quietly, "how high is that?"

"About the height of a big dog, or a small child." She scowled, "Nevermind, it's taller than that. Nobody say the word child around me today, okay? It makes my hand twitch."

Paimon gasped, "Your hand twitches?"

"It gets the urge to punch."

"Paimon didn't know hands had minds of their own…"

"The world is full of mysteries, isn't it?"

Zhongli nodded along gravely, "Indeed. Such as the mystery of our mora."

"... The mystery of our mora?"

"It's gone, you see. I'm not sure where it went," he shifted in his seat uncomfortably, "I believe someone committed a crime upon my wallet, because it was quite empty last time I checked. Liyue Harbor is full of pickpockets."

Perhaps Lumine should have kept a better eye on him during the shopping.

Lumine returned to Liyue Harbor exactly four hours and two minutes ago. She immediately got to work on finishing the preparations with Zhongli. Paimon was attached to her side like a lost puppy, claiming that the time away from Lumine had made her grow 'soft' because Zhongli was so much nicer to her. Lumine ignored the implications of her friend's masochism, and out of sheer exhaustion and lack of interest, gave Zhongli the freedom to buy the jade, the flowers, and the kites on his own. She was beginning to regret doing that.

She knew that the mora was originally Childe's, and wanted absolutely nothing to do with it. She'd spent the last week wandering her way back to Liyue, cursing his name every night and dreaming of their shared kisses, along with his hands on her hips and the smell of the sea in the air. She was tryingdesperatelyto forget those things, tonotdwell upon them. Yet, giving Zhongli free reign over the mora only proved that their funds ran dry more quickly than normal.

"I'mnot asking him for more," Lumine nearly growled into her tea cup, glaring over the rim at nothing in particular, "If we need more then it's your job to go ask him."

Zhongli shot her a look reminiscent of an extremely exhausted father, "I know he's happy to help, but he'd giveyoumore."

"Wrong. He'd give me one mora piece and laugh in my face."

"Perhaps," a thoughtful hum and a blank expression, "it depends on how thoroughly you broke his heart. If it's just a small crack then I'm sure that could be mended."

No hearts were broken, and if therewasa broken heart then it would be hers. Lumine was as insignificant to Childe as a pebble in his shoe, a minor annoyance to be shaken off and tossed aside. The memory sat bitterly on her tongue, immediately ruining the tea, "I think you've got the wrong idea about what happened."

Paimon stuffed another cookie into her mouth as she piped up, "Maybe we'd understand better if you just told us!"

"There's nothing to tell," she grimaced as her stomach churned in anxiety, making her shift and fidget in the chair, "I just finally called him out for using me to get to the gnosis, he got defensive, we talked about the Fatui and… well, as you can imagine, the discussion didn't end well."

"He mentioned to me that you tried to kill each other," Zhongli informed flatly, "Is that true?"

"Kind of? I wasn't planning on killing him, I just wanted to get a point across."

"With your sword?"

"I think more clearly with a weapon in my hand."

They were made for each other. He didn't need to be the Geo Archon to see that - their chemistry was undeniable. He could only imagine their household with nine children, the constant chaos and battle. Howthatwas meant to be romantic, he had no clue. He'd visit during the holidays nonetheless.

Yet, Zhongli was not one to meddle with stars. Childe and Lumine would confront each other one way or another, ad no amount of friendly concern could change the tide of destiny.

"Nevertheless, next step in this process is the everlasting incense," he set his cup down with a sigh, "We can acquire some at Bubu pharmacy."

"As long as it's not another incident like the perfume. I still haven't recovered from Miss Ying'er."

"She was quite…" Awkward, Zhongli cleared his throat, "verbose."

That was one way to put it. As Lumine counted out her meager sum of mora to pay for their tea and snacks, a shiver of anxiety ran up her spine and caused her hair to stand on end. Tensing, she glanced around the crowded tea shop to locate the source of her unease. Goosebumps prickled on her arms, her heart skipped a beat. "Do you... feel anything?"

Zhongli watched with curious eyes, "Only the soft afternoon breeze, and an overwhelming sense of dread from the sound of that drunkard's singing down the street."

Itwasquite bad. "I just feel like we're being watched..."

He hummed absently, "Wearemost likely being trailed by the Fatui, I wouldn't be surprised if they were listening to our conversation this very moment."

"How can you be so calm about that?"

A shrug, "You said it yourself, Childe wants the gnosis. Is that not why your relationship ended?"

Lumine could not believe this man sometimes. One minute he was a deep well of knowledge, and the next his understanding was as shallow as a puddle. She despised the way her cheeks warmed as she stumbled over the anxiety and embarrassment, "It was not a relationship. I'd rather eat my own liver than ever be coupled with that selfish, annoying, uncaring, psychopathic trash can of a man."

Zhongli raised a dark brow, "What about your nine kids?"

"What is it with these nine kids everybody keeps bringing up? I'm not his starmate," she lay her palms flat on the table, leaning forward with a glare, "And I don't want his help either."

"Ya!" Paimon raised a determined fist, "We don't need his dirty money!"

"I'll pay for the everlasting incensemyself!"

"Yea- wait, Lumine is actually serious? That loser Harbinger is like a walking bank vault," she gasped with a mouth full of cookie, "don't throw aside a sugar daddy that easily!"

She'd never been so disgusted in her life. She had never heard such a nasty string of words, a sentence that made her want to vomit on the dining table so ardently. Groaning, Lumine threw her head back, "Don't say things like that, I have a weak stomach."

"Like what?Sugar daddy?!"

"No," she held her stomach and squeezed her eyes shut, "I swear I'm going to cook you one day, emergency food."

"Why would Lumi need emergency food when she has a sugar daddy to- stop trying to vomit on Paimon! That's disgusting!"

"Children," Zhongli raised a quieting hand, his eyes hard and determined as the chaos of the pixie and traveler halted across the table. He had a voice that could fill a room with one utterance, a commanding tone that spoke of a past Lumine couldn't quite figure out. "Let us calm down, and head to Bubu pharmacy, yes?"

Lumine pulled away from Paimon with a huff, "Fine. But I'm serious about not asking for any mora from him. It would just be… Too awkward to speak to him again."

"Okay," Zhongli stood from his seat with a defeated sigh, "perhaps we should see the price tag before we make any decisions, though, everlasting incense is quite the commodity."

Quite the commodity, he says, this was coming from a man who couldn't even afford Third-Round Knockout. With a sigh, she pushed from her chair and followed him down the stairs, Paimon floating grumpily at her shoulder.

As Lumine and Zhongli left the restaurant and joined the crowded street, yet another shiver ran down her spine, like a cold finger trailing it's way across her skin. She shivered and held herself, glancing around for any sign of the Fatui. The street was full of locals and merchants, but no obvious Snezhnayan a huff of annoyance, Lumine sped up to catch Zhongli's attention, "Do you really think Childe would have us watched?"

"Of course," he did not spare her a glance as he strode, "why wouldn't he? I'm the one who could point him in the direction of the exuvia, and you're…" a careful pause, "important."

"Important?"

"To him," he cast her a look.

Important to him.I want you.The words echoed in her mind bitterly.I want you, I want you. I like you. I need you.

What a liar.

"Lumi, look!" Paimon squealed in her ear, breaking her from the reverie of thought, "maybe it's her who's watching us!"

She followed Paimon's outstretched finger. In an alleyway on the other side of the cobblestone street, an old woman bundled in rags leaned against the wall. As Lumine found her, the old woman's eyes carefully shifted to meet her gaze.

Slowly, silently, her lips moved. Lumine could not tell what she was whispering before a Fatui agent slinked up behind her, making her stiffen in surprise before scowling at the intrusion. Lumine tsked, "That poor fortune teller is still being followed. Childe really pisses me off, you know?"

Paimon leaned on her shoulder with wide eyes, "The Fatui can be pretty scary! D-Didn't the old lady say something about Mr. Moneybag's soulmate, and that's why they follow her?"

His soulmate, a subject that had been on Lumine's mind far too often for her comfort. That was yet another nail in the coffin, the fact that he kissed her despite having someone literally destined for him. It was almost like cheating, and it made her feel dirty. She could not imagine meeting his future wife and keeping the secret of their short, incredibly heated andincredibly stupidaffair behind closed doors.

Lumine watched as the Fatuu led the old woman away. Sighing, Paimon put a thoughtful hand to her chin, "What was it she warned you about a while back?"

That memory was clear as day."'If you kill your enemy at the Golden House, you will never find love again.'"

"What's a golden house? Like, a house made of gold?"

"I don't know," she shot a glance towards Zhongli waiting for them up the street, "but I guess I'll figure it out one day. Can't change the decisions the stars have made."

Paimon snorted, "It'll probably be years from now, knowing Lumi! You're far too busy for romance."

"Right," another sigh, "and it's not Huffman, we know that for sure. I think I'll just officially give up on love."

"Good idea! Make war, not love!"

"I don't think that's how the saying goes…"

"What saying?"

"Nevermind," she shook her head as if shaking off the thought, "let's catch up with Zhongli at the pharmacy."

"Sir, the traveler is on the move once more."

"And? Did she say anything of interest?"

"She mentioned you."

"...How?"

"She said that she would rather eat her liver than ever be coupled with, and I quote, 'that selfish, annoying, uncaring, psychopathic trash can of a man'."

"... Right, she's lovely as ever," Childe rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, leaning against the rocky part of the cliff where his troops were gathered, "Anything else?"

Ekaterina was not used to being out of the bank. She was rarely called to be among the soldiers and agents, she was plain even compared to the many cicin mages wandering about. With a nervous gulp, she referred back to her notes, "The fortune teller attempted to contact her again, but that was quickly taken care of. Oh, and, uh," a nervous laugh, "Zhongli spent all of the mora."

Of course he did. He had a spectacular talent for that sort of thing. Not allowing the discomfort to show, Childe glanced away as he thought of Lumine. She was there, in the harbor, walking around with Zhongli and spending Fatui money.

He had justbarelymanaged to escape her gravitational pull, and had no interest in being sucked back in.

Yet, he had a job to do. With a glance to his gathered forces, he furrowed his brows, "I suppose I have no choice but to return to the city and see if they need assistance. Where are they now?"

Ekaterina cleared her throat once more, her voice high and nervous, "T-They, uh, met a zombie. And are now hunting for something called a cocogoat…"

"...Cocogoat?"

"Yes sir. It is supposed to be an adeptibeast of some kind."

He'd extensively studied Liyue culture and history and had never once heard of a 'cocogoat', or even an adeptibeast. Childe could not help but let a laugh escape as he thought of Lumine and Zhongli wandering the streets of Liyue, constantly drawn in by the dumbest of schemes. She truly did need someone like Childe in her life, Paimon wasn't too good of a skeptic either.

"Let me guess," he laughed into his hand, "the traveler asked no questions and immediately ran off to hunt the cocogoat?"

Ekaterina nodded, "Yes. She said something along the lines of, uh... 'I'll kick it's legendary ass'. I believe the reason why they're doing this is because they don't have a prescription for everlasting incense."

"Oh, you need a prescription for that?"

"Apparently so. I believe Lumine and Mister Zhongli left to go repair the Guizhong Ballista in an attempt to hunt this legendary beast."

Cocogoat. Even the name was funny. Whether it existed or not, Childe found himself looking forward to the next part of his plan. "Alright, I want you to go back to town and keep listening. I'll meet you there," he gestured to the next highest ranking officer, pulling him over, "Keep everyone on their toes. We may have to strike any minute. The second I figure out where the exuvia is, we make our move."

"Yes sir!"

"Time to finally face her again," he sighed and walked away from the Fatui encampment with Ekaterina at his side, "this'll be fun."

Fun, he says. Nothing had been fun since Lumine pushed him away. A short overview of the Childe's recent week away from Lumine went as follows:

Wake up in the morning, check his sources to see if she had returned yet, mess around with the sigils, fight something, andsleep.

The next day, wake up, check his sources to see if Lumine had returned yet, ignore everybody around him, fight something, andsleep.

The day after that, wake up in the morning from a dream about Lumine andimmediatelygo fight something in an attempt to forget her face. Check his sources to see if she had returned yet-

And so on.

He was, most likely, going insane. This was proven by the fact that he was found staring at white flowers that resembled the ones in her hair, and had been grumbling all week long about 'stupid women who had brains like bricks'.

The entire bank staff had been avoiding speaking to the Harbinger. Ekaterina took the blunt of the responsibility, enduring under Master Tartaglia's constant bad mood. It was a rather wide difference in how he usually acted, and the reason was not very well hidden. They had all grown used to Lumine's presence, calling her 'mistress' and doing whatever she asked of them. Upon Tartaglia's returnwithouta blonde traveler at his side, it was obvious what happened.

Breakups were never fun. Ekaterina deeply believed that the Harbinger just needed a bucket of ice cream and some wine.

As they approached the sea-side city, Ekaterina lingered behind. Childe walked confidently, uncaring about the eyes of the Millelith lingering on him with suspicion. Despite his head held high, she knew what the Harbinger had been feeling all week. Hehadto be nervous. Underneath the uniform and lifeless eyes, he was still a normal 22 year old man.

But then again, she'd never once seen him show fear. There were rumors among the Fatui that Tartaglia had never been scared in his life. Nonetheless, a bit of advice would not hurt.

"Sir," she caught up to him, taking the spot at his side as she rushed to keep with his long legged stride, "you may not appreciate my experience, but I thought you'd like to know something. When I met my ex-boyfriend for coffee once, all he did was talk about how great his life is. Seeing an ex can be really annoying, but there are ways to deal with it!"

Childe tensed. He crossed his arms and slowed in his gait, keeping his eyes straight ahead. With a hard edge to his voice, he informed, "She's not my ex. We weren't together…" a tense pause, "but go on."

Success, she would not get fired for insolence on this day. "What you've got to do is act so uncaring that she starts to doubt herself. Act like nothing ever happened, as if you're complete strangers. That'll show the mistres- I-I mean Lumine, it'll showLuminethat you've moved on, and she has absolutely no sway over you any longer!"

That would be a good plan if she trulydidn'thave sway over him. Yet, she did. Lumine was on his mind constantly, it seemed. Every day without her at his side had been a bad one, his mood growing darker and darker as the events of their separation replayed. He still hadn't quite figured out how 'I want you' turned into such a large divide between them.

No matter, this would be over soon, and he would be able to leave Liyue. Once back in Snezhnaya, he could get lost in his cold home and forget about the sun he once orbited.

Nevertheless, Ekaterina's plan was good. He liked the idea of showing Lumine that he moved on - even if he hadn't.

Silent, confident, he walked through the streets, heading to the pharmacy on the hill. "Thank you for your help," he sent Ekaterina a smile, "can I count on you to be listening in?"

In the distance, a flash of blonde and white caught his eye. He glanced around the pavilion entrance in time to catch the sight of Zhongli's tailcoat as he entered the pharmacy doors. "Yes sir," Ekaterina whispered as she began to slip away, "I'll be behind the building."

Perfect.

With a satisfied sigh, he settled into his position. Leaning against a wall with the pharmacy in sight, he craned his neck to catch a glimpse of the conversation through the doors. Lumine had her hands on her hips and a glare, while a small purple haired girl covered her face with both hands. Zhongli gestured as he explained something that Childe could not hear. His eyes lingered on Lumine as she crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head.

Another skipped heartbeat in his chest, another barrage of the wasps in his stomach. He despised that the sight of the traveler still had this effect on him. She didn't want him, and it was time to forget about her. She'd done exactly what he'd been trying to do this entire time in under five minutes; get rid of her influence in his was a shame that she'd lose this. If she didn't want him now, she'd especially not want him after he got the gnosis.

Paimon's voice carried on the wind to his ears, catching his attention and ripping him away from his thoughts. "Is this the part where we go crawling back to Childe?"

Yes, it was. He heard Lumine let out a loud groan, "No way. Never. Not in a million years!"

Their conversation died down once more with Zhongli's lowered voice. Childe could only catch the words 'three million mora' and 'who else' drifting out of the pharmacy doors. He recalled what Ekaterina said - they were entirely out of money.

Lumine yelled her rejection again, saying something about taking on five full time jobs to pay for it instead. Zhongli's response, spoken louder than usual, as if he was aware of the ears within the walls, reached him, "We could rob the Golden House… if only the Qixing were not guarding it so heavily."

He listened as Lumine gasped, "The golden house?"

"Yes, it's where all of the mora in Teyvat is minted. It's not usually so heavily guarded…" Zhongli edged his body towards the entrance of the pharmacy, speaking louder, "but the Qixing have recently been taking extra precautions."

Lumine did not notice Zhongli's odd behavior. Childe listened as she huffed, "It's not like we would be able to rob it anyway, that's against my very strict set of morals."

"Mine as well, but…"

"But," Paimon sighed, "we're about three million mora short."

Andthat was his cue. He could easily help with that endeavor, he spent three million at breakfast. With a deep breath, Childe closed his eyes and steadied his skipping heart."Girlie," he called out, interrupting the argument and walking up the stairs, "I can help you with tha-"

Childe never had to dodge a flying chair before, the experience was quite exhilarating.

Lumine's scowl could kill as she tossed the closest piece of furniture into his face. Nearly growling, the fury in her eyes only deepened as Childe dodged the chair. It splintered with a loud crash on the sidewalk. Before he could recover from the initial shock of furnishings soaring towards him, she grabbed a table next.

"Lumine," Zhongli stepped forward, his hands flat as he held the table down to prevent her from throwing it, "he's going to help us. I must ask you to calm down."

No.Why should she? Abandoning the table, she whipped around, ignoring Doctor Baizhu's requests to stop throwing his things like a wild animal. She grabbed a stack of folders, and flung them towards the grinning Harbinger as if throwing frisbees.

He, annoyingly so, caught each one with rising laughter.

Lumine went for the vials of medicine next. Faster than she could possibly move, Zhongli and Baizhu held her arms back as she kicked. Their combined strength lifted her feet from the floor and made her gasp in horror as she writhed and struggled, "Let me go! Let me go, I need to kill him!"

Childe couldnotstop laughing. He stood against the doorframe and held his side, eyes squeezed shut as he bent over, "I-I thought we were friends, Lumi. I've never been greeted like this before!"

Her hand escaped Baizhu's grip. She grabbed a cup of pens, vaulting them in Childe's direction. He dodged with another bout of gleeful laughter as Lumine was held back once again."Please, Tartaglia," Zhongli breathed heavily, far more frazzled than usual as he gripped Lumine's writhing arm, "take her. She's-" he gasped and yanked himself away, "She bit me! Do I… Do I have rabies now?"

Baizhu gasped, "That looks bad. She really can dig her teeth in, huh?"

"Qiqi is… confused… Is she human, or dog?"

"She's a dog." Childe answered with a smirk as Lumine was finally released. He held out his arms as if going in for a hug, fully expecting her to pounce on him with a dagger in her hand. Despite the absolute hilarity of Lumine biting Zhongli and vaulting furniture through the air, his stomach still buzzed with excited energy.

She was the most beautiful woman he'd ever met, even as she glared and lunged for his neck. He'd never be able to find anyone that could make his heart beat so quickly, that could take his breath away, that would fit so wonderfully perfect in his arms. He caught Lumine's wrists, twisting her body around so her back was to his chest. Before she could protest, he snaked one arm around her waist and pinned her arms back, his other hand firmly clamped over her mouth.

Muffled and angry, Lumine writhed and wiggled underneath his grip. Her cheeks were redder than ever from a mixture of frustration and affection, her body so close to his as he held her still. Baizhu cleared his throat, "Thank you... Master Tartaglia, is it?"

Childe smiled as if he wasnotholding a rabid woman's arms and mouth from certain destruction, "Yes, it's an honor to finally meet you, Doctor. I've heard a lot about your work."

"Oh, how sweet!" He lit up with pleasant familiarity, "May I ask, what exactly is happening right now?"

Paimon sighed heavily, a sound far beyond her years, "They're in love."

"Oh, I see!"

Lumine's muffled complaints grew louder than ever. She stomped her feet in an attempt to injure him, failing magnificently. His smile only grew wider, "So, I happened to be passing by and heard that you ran into some trouble, Mister Zhongli. Any way I can help?"

Paimon's glare deepened with suspicion. Lumine writhed once more in his arms, before tensing up. He glanced down at the head of blonde hair against his chest, and stiffened in response to the feeling of her tongue dragging against his palm.

Ew. She was worse than Teucer. He sighed and pulled back, finally releasing her. With his brow twitching in annoyance, he wiped the spit off on the edge of her dress, "You shouldn't do that kind of stuff, you don't know where my hands have been."

Lumine gasped and yanked herself away, "Howdareyou?!"

"You're the one that licked me," he reminded as he pulled on the back of her outfit, rubbing his wet palm against the fabric, "I'm just trying to help, and that's how you repay me? It's not very nice."

At least she was not trying to attack him any longer. With an arrogant huff, Lumine crossed her arms and took her spot at Zhongli's side, half hiding behind the funeral consultant and Paimon's heavy glares. With the anger coming off the traveler in waves, Childe stepped back and raised his hands, attempting to settle peace, "I promise, I'm just trying to help. There's nothing to be worried about."

Zhongli and Lumine knew better, though Lumine was not quite in the mood to speak to him. His arms around her waist as he caught her mid-lunge were warm, perfectly wrapping around her in the most annoying way possible. She hated that he smelled good, and that he felt nice, and that she still got that familiar buzz in her stomach whenever he looked at her. She hated him, and everything he stood for.

But, to keep the temporary peace, she wouldnotthrow anymore of Baizhu's furniture. Zhongli, fortunately, was the one most willing to explain the situation.

"So," he cleared his throat, "We need everlasting incense. Qiqi here," a gesture to the blank faced zombie girl, "sent us on a journey to find the cocogoat, a legendary adeptibeast. We fixed the Guizhong Ballista in an attempt to use it for hunting said cocogoat, but had no luck."

"And," Baizhu smiled innocently, "why is that?"

Qiqi sighed, "Cocogoats are… are…"

Lumine finished in monotone, her glare still burrowing into Childe like a hot poker, "Nonexistent. We went on a hunt for something that doesn't exist, because Qiqi thought coconut milk came from adepti."

This was wonderful. This was so spectacular. It was exactly as Childe thought - the cocogoat didn't exist, and Lumine and Zhongli were the two biggest airheads in all of covered his smile as another bubble of laughter escaped his throat. He felt as if he hadn't laughed this much in ages, having spent all week sulking over Lumine's newfound hatred for him. It seemed fitting that the second she waltzed back into the picture his day would be brightened.

Sighing and rubbing at his eyes, he resisted the urge to snort at the glare on Lumine's face. His side truly did hurt, and his stomach truly did feel as if there were wasps in it. While he missed her entertainment value, he surely didn't miss the constant feelings she gave him, the skipping heart and the lungs with no air, the stomach that decided to do entire gymnastics routines every time she smiled. It was getting tiring.

"S-So," he stifled another giggle, "I really do appreciate the laugh. Who knew this day would bring so many blessings." A glance directed to Doctor Baizhu, a genuine smile that made Lumine jump from her spot behind Zhongli, "Forgive my audacity, but I see many opportunities for us to collaborate in the future."

She raised her voice in a mocking imitation, "I see many opportunities for us to collaborate in the future-"

"Please ignore her," Childe's smile did not falter, "our little spat has no consequences on the business proceedings of the Fatui."

Again, "Our little spat has no consequences on the bus-"

Reaching around Zhongli, Childe kept the smile on his face as he pulled Lumine against him, clamping his hand over her mouth once more. The struggling and stomping returned as he went on, "If the Bubu pharmacy needed a stable supply of, say, coconut milk, the Fatui could help by setting up a robust and speedy distribution network."

"You two are so cute," Baizhu tilted his head and sighed dreamily, "Young love, such a confusing thing, is it not?"

The snake around his neck continued, "I would never imagine that the Fatui would meddle in matters such as coconut milk…"

"Coconut milk," Qiqi gripped his hand in her monotone, staring up at the doctor, "Quick. Qiqi wants coconut milk."

"Y-Yes of course, Qiqi! Anything you want! Thank you, Childe," he sent the Harbinger a smile, ignoring the tense and glaring girl with her mouth covered tightly in his arms, "I look forward to our collaboration!"

Lumine had been quiet long enough to be trusted. Slowly, he released his hand from her lips, taking a careful step back as she glared at him over her shoulder. She had gone from a hurricane of anger, to wearing a steady and steely stare that was far more threatening than she'd ever was only Baizhu's next words that broke Lumine from her tense stare, making her gasp and whip around to face him as he spoke, "I'll lower the price on the incense to… 2,990,000 mora."

Paimon gasped and flew backward. Lumine gripped her stomach, bending over lightly as if she was about to be sick. "T-That's… I've never heard such a big number before… I-I didn't even know numbers went that high!"

"It's lower than three million," Paimon complained, "but still ridiculous! Are youtryingto give Lumine a heart attack?"

He, apparently, was. Childe did not even flinch at the number, his smile never faltering. "Alright, no problem," a glance to Zhongli and a very sick-looking Lumine, "I'll take care of it."

"Wonderful," Baizhu turned to rummage around in a locked cabinet, "It's around here somewhere…"

It was a known fact among Lumine's associates that she only spent mora if she had to. She rarely spent it on anything other than food, and eventhatwas rare. Ever since coming to Liyue, she'd been in more contact with the currency than ever, and it never failed to make her sick. With pale cheeks, she took a deep breath and glared at the pleasant-seeming Harbinger, "Dear Archons, please don't spend that much. J-Just talk him down, or something."

"No problem," Childe gave a nonchalant shrug, "it's not really that much."

"It's nearly three million!"

"Yeah?" He sent her a curious glance, "It's not much."

It wassomuch.Baizhu turned around to hand a vial to him, the transaction passing hands as if it was a simple glass of water. Lumine held her stomach in anxiety, "P-Please… no…"

Zhongli patted her back soothingly, "Lumine, you're acting as if you're being murdered. It's just a business deal."

"...Three million mora…"

It was too funny. Childe had missed her dramatics, no matter how angry she made him. He dangled the bottle in front of her, "Just let me treat you, Lumi. My heart yearns to shower you in luxury, it's been so long!"

"There's a reason for that, idiot! Did you forget what we talked about?"

Paimon gasped in curiosity, "Oh, tell us! Paimon wants to know!"

He could assume that Lumine had not told anybody the details of their messy fight, and he appreciated that. He was not one to flagrantly air out his dirty laundry, especially when it came to arguing with the love of his life over moral superiority and dead god bodies. Cheerful, he put the vial of the essence in her shaking hands, "No, it's just between us, sorry Paimon. It was a boring talk anyway."

More like one of the most exhilarating moments of his life, as she drew her sword and attacked him. Lumine really knew how to get him going, even when pushing him away and breaking his heart.

Lumine handed the vial to Zhongli, who seemed far more satisfied and comfortable with the business deal. He gave Baizhu and Qiqi a respectful nod, "Thank you all for your help, we can finally begin the funeral proceedings and send Rex Lapis off in the way he deserves."

A chorus of congratulations spread through the small group. "No problem, we're happy to help with something such as this, Rex Lapis will be dearly missed." Baizhu offered a grave nod, "AndIwill be sending a bill to the Northland bank if that's okay?"

"Perfect," Childe took a step down the stairs, "We'll transfer that mora immediately."

"Wonderful! Coconut milk, Qiqi, aren't you excited?" he and the snake curled around his neck celebrated for a moment, as Lumine watched on with pale cheeks and sick eyes. Childe took the moment of distraction to slip out of the pharmacy, going down the steps and turning the corner to meet Ekaterina as she hid behind the building, unseen.

Nobody noticed his departure, Lumine being far too busy expressing her relief at finishing the preparations. He leaned against a column near the receptionist's hiding spot and tilted his head, "Did you hear what I heard about the Golden House?"

"That the Qixing is guarding it more heavily than ever?" She whispered in return, "Yes, I did."

"I wonder what Ningguang and her cronies are doing there… What they're protecting so ardently," he ran a hand through his hair and laughed, "What else besides the exuvia?"

"I think so too, sir."

"Run back to the bank and close it up," he sent her a smile, "we're heading out soon."

"Yes, Master Childe."

He watched out of the corner of his eye as she slipped away, unseen by the group. With a sigh, he crossed his arms and glanced back to Lumine standing in the doorway, smiling and waving goodbye to Qiqi as if she werenotjust vandalizing their furniture and throwing it at Harbingers. His heart skipped another beat, one so annoyingly heavy that he could not help the split-second frown on his face.

Zhongli led the way down the steps. Paimon and Lumine lingered at his sides, the pixie not bothering to send him a glance as she floated away. The workers they hired were already at the pavilion, making preparations for the , though, slowed in her pace. She and Childe stood in front of each other as Zhongli and Paimon left, not noticing their lagging friend. She was not glaring any longer, though her furrowed brows and her frown said enough. She was angry with him, as always, and didn't know what to think.

Childe smiled. It was a genuine expression, for once. He tapped his foot absently, fidgeting with unused energy and taking in the sight of the woman before him. Beautiful, made perfectly for his arms, and quickly becoming enemy #1. "I'll ask it one last time, Lumi," his voice was low as he broke the silence, "would you join the Fatui for me?"

Would she get out of the way? Would she put herself under his protection, allow him to keep her safe the way he wanted to? He held his breath as she avoided his gaze.

"I… why do you want me to join so bad?"

Still so dense. Childe found that he had no problems now saying what was on his mind, the truth was already out between them.

"I'm falling in…likewithyou."

In like? She gaped, wide-eyed and pink-cheeked. He soaked in the memory of her face, that shock and surprise as she processed his words. In like was just one step below inlove,she a shaky exhale, she put her hand to her chest, "Withme?"

"Who else would I be talking to right now?" He could not help but laugh, his stomach buzzing with affection,

"I just…" she seemed genuinely confused, "I just don't get it. I-I'm sorry, but… No matter what," with a clenched fist and worried eyes, she finally met his gaze, "I cannot betray my own standards. I need to keep the world safe, even if it means rejecting you."

So succinct, so blunt. She seemed to genuinely feel pity for having to reject him, adding another crack to his heart. He pursed his lips in thought and glanced away, his arms crossed over his chest as he leaned against the column, "Fine. I just have one request."

"Yes?"

Her voice was so soft, so different from the rabid woman she usually was. It was a wonder that she tried to vault a table at him earlier.

"I want you to stay away from the Golden House," he knew he'd regret telling her this. He'd regret bearing his heart on his sleeve and compromising his plans, "if you go there, you could get hurt, you could… you could die. And I... cannot even comprehend the results of that."

They were alone in the pavilion. The doors to the pharmacy had closed, while Zhongli and Paimon wandered away to set up the funeral. With the quiet buzz of evening cicadas in the air, and a deafening silence between them, Lumine could only took one step towards him. Slowly, her hand rested on his chest as she leaned up on her tiptoes and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. It was so unlike their earlier encounters, there was no heat and no tension, no anger and no fury fueling every movement of their bodies.

Just the gentle, addictive intoxicating press of her skin against his.

Childe's breath caught in his throat, yet his mind remained empty. The feeling of her lips on his was all that existed in that moment. He closed his eyes to take her in, her hand against his chest and the scent of lavender between them. It was soft, longing,heart-breakingly sad. Lumine pulled back with a soft exhale. She fluttered her eyes up to meet his and fill the air with whispers, "Okay. I'll do what you ask... just this once."

It felt like the missing piece of a puzzle, finally found and put into its proper place. Sweet relief. Childe sighed and put his hands on her hips, resting his forehead against hers and closing his eyes, "Thank you. I want you to go to Northland bank and stay there until I come back, okay?"

"Okay," another soft kiss to his cheek and a giggle, "whatever you want."

This day could not get any better. He could not help but be shocked at howeasilyshe returned to him after that fight, though a week had passed between then and now. Perhaps she had time to think about it and realized that she was making a mistake by pushing him away. Whatever the reason, Childe was relieved. Delivering a swift kiss to her lips, he could not help but smile, "I've got to work to do. I'll come back and get you after I'm done."

Another kiss, and another, and another, with smiles inbetween each one. It was fireworks on a holiday, a campfire on a cold night, the feeling of crawling into a warm bed after a long day's work. It was natural, and wonderful, and meant to be. They could hardly tear themselves apart, "I look forward to it."

He kissed her hand, each and every knuckle. He smiled at the sound of her laugh and the pink in her cheeks. His heart was swelling in utter relief - Luminefinallylistened to him. Lumine wasfinallygoing to do as he asked and stay out of the way. He could not wait for this to be over so he could return to her.

One more kiss, and he left. Lumine watched him go with her hands folded in front of her and her cheeks warm. He turned around for a moment, grinning as he walked backward, then blew her yet another kiss.

What a sap; truly an idiot.

"And he thinksI'mdumb," she muttered to herself once Childe rounded the corner, "one kiss and every inhibition melts away. Boys are stupid."

I want you to stay away from the Golden House.

As if.

Zhongli took her to dinner as celebration, unaware of why Lumine smirked the entire time. "Where did Childe go? He's invited as well."

"Oh," she put a delicate hand over her mouth and snickered, "nowhere in particular. He's just awfully busy, can't really join us right now."

Paimon stared at the traveler like she would a piece of poo on the sidewalk, "Did you murder him and throw his body in the sea like you talked about yesterday?"

"No, no, much worse."

"What?"

"Nothing at all, don't worry about it!"

She was in a suspiciously good mood. She did not even complain about Zhongli forgetting his wallet, only smirking and giggling with her mysterious secrets as the evening went on.

"Do not kill your opponent at the Golden House, or you will never love again'

That could not mean anything else but one solid truth: Lumine would meet her soulmate at the Golden House.

Once invited to the Jade Palace, Lumine realized that everything was falling into place. She would uncover the secrets of her soulmate, her one and only true love. She would make Childe angry in the process, which was always a plus for her. And she would have the satisfaction of finally winning.

Perfect.

After the invitation from Ganyu, Lumine found herself even more ecstatic. As she prepared a gift for Ninggaung, she thought of how this would end. Who would she meet at the Golden House? What would her soulmate be like? Hopefully he was strong, and tall, and had a super cool sword. Hopefully he would gather her into his arms and kiss her senseless, pronouncing that he would give the world to her.

Goodbye Childe, hello gnosis and soulmate. Hello her one true love, who would obviously fall at her feet in sweet adoration. The reason for why her soulmate was in the golden house was unknown, and frankly not paid attention to at all. She just knew that she would find him, she could not kill him, and he would completely take her mind off the ginger haired Harbinger with the fox-like smile and the dead ocean eyes. That was all she wanted.

And, Lumine assumed that was why Childe asked her to stay away from the Golden House. Heknewwho her soulmate was, he had that old fortune teller lady followed around, so he was aware of how this meeting would go. He, possessive and smitten with her, asked her to not visit the Golden House because he knew that she would meet her one true love there. It made perfect sense, Childe was trying to keep her from destiny.

Well, it wouldn't work!

Lumine, of course, told Ningguang every bit of this over tea. She made friends far too easily.

"And then," she raised a hand, gasping with dramatism and nearly spilling her herbal blend all over her lap, "he kissed me! Isn't that crazy? I could've punched him. I'm just so nice that I chose to not knock all of his teeth out."

"Hm," Ningguang stared into the distance over her shoulder, long legs crossed over each other as she leaned back in her chair, "So you say you're not affiliated with the Fatui, yet you kissed a Harbinger?"

A nod, "Yes, you're a businesswoman, you should know how it goes sometimes. You get in tight with the opposition, learn their secrets," she raised a quizzical brow, "you would not believe what he let slip to me."

Ningguang laughed, a delicate sound that filled every inch of the jade chamber. She was the kind of woman heads turned for, eyes glued to. She could not speak without an audience, as soft and demure as her voice was. She took another sip of tea and watched Lumine over the rim of her cup, "And what is that, may I ask?"

Another smirk, the one she'd been wearing since the final kiss with Childe. "He asked me to stay away from the Golden House."

"Oh?"

"I believe it's because he's jealous that I'm destined to meet my true love there," Lumine took another loud sip of tea, "so obviously, Iwillbe going."

"Very interesting," Ningguang had a way of putting someone in the spotlight, humming and complimenting her way into their minds, "are you sure that's the only reason?"

"Yep, pretty sure."

"Dear Lumine," she put a clawed hand on her cheek and stroked delicately, "I have had so much trouble with the Fatui lately, you wouldn't believe it. They've really made my job harder with their rumors and their… research…"

"...Research?"

"Yes," she pulled back and took another sip of her tea, "I have eyes everywhere, you know. They've been spreading rumors, trying to get their hands on the exuvia, trying to recreate ancient documents that have no business being recreated." She tapped a finger on the table absently, "I just need to figure out why."

Lumine would do anything for Ningguang. Perhaps it was the pretty hair, or the elegant palace, or the reallyamazingtea she served, but Lumine would doanything.She gripped her cup tightly, smiling as she realized how close she was to the end of this matter. She would meet her soulmate, get the gnosis, and finally put this entire ordeal behind her. The thought of winning this match between her and Childe sat on the back of her mind, reminding her of the satisfaction she would feel by the end of it all.

"I can help, if you want."

Ningguang smiled, an angelic expression. "Oh good, thank you. I have a map for you to follow, if you like."

She did like. She would take anything to get to the bottom of this.

"Master Tartaglia, Lady Lumine has not yet reported to the bank."

The news hit him like a smack to the face. Childe stood on a cliff overlooking the growing army of Fatui, his arms crossed and his face blank. As the agent reported the information, he sent a hard glance over his shoulder, intensifying the cold look in his eyes, "Then where is she?"

"I-I'm afraid I don't know, sir."

Lumine wassupposedto be at the bank, waiting in his office while he finished this job. She said she would, he believed the look on her face and the words on her lips.

"But we do have this clue!" the agent held out a ripped sigil of permission copy, dotted with blood and crumpled, as if it was stepped on, "This was found on the body of one of the guards overseeing the sigil research."

On the back of the golden parchment was a charcoal scribbling, in Lumine's bubbly and girlish script.

'You're not as clever as you think, Harbinger'

"It's time to move," Childe's voice was more of a whisper than he liked. Clearing his throat and forcing himself to look up at the agent, "Tell the soldiers that it's starting. Stay on call for when I return from the Golden House."

"Yes sir!"

A quiet hike through the calm forests of Liyue, a gentle breeze on his cheeks. The Fatui had taken the front gates of the city, giving the Millelith a hard time as Childe slipped away. Lumine could not possibly beat him there, and perhaps there was no need to worry about confronting her. If only.

Childe walked up the stairs as if he owned the place. With a confident smile and a steady heart, he took out the guards and entered the glorious chamber. There were piles of mora reaching for the ceiling, with fires lit on the walls. His eyes were immediately drawn to the body of a dragon at the head of the room.

Another Millelith with a slit throat, another sigh as he nudged the body aside. He disliked killing so frivolously, it was boring and provided no challenge. With the onslaught of the Fatui on Liyue, most of the guards had left to help the city. The exuvia waited for him, a figment of the Tsaritsa's would be perfect if not for the sound of the creaking doors. Instinctually, Childe shot to the nearest hiding place, pressing his back against a cold column and listening to the newest intruder as they pushed the heavy doors open.

With a huff and the sound of a familiar sigh, he knew who it was that invaded this moment.

He drowned out the nervous drumming of his heart with a deep breath. Whatever puzzle pieces she put together had led her here, exactly where he didn't want her. "Paimon… that must be it, the exuvia."

A golden corpse glowing at the head of the room. He'd have his hands on it already if she had not interrupted with her entrance. Leaning against the pillar, with an unconscious Millelith soldier underneath his boot, he watched as Lumine walked to the stone steps.

What to say when his soulmate was betraying her promise, having sealed it with a kiss and smile. What to do when he had so clearly warned her about going to the Golden House? Childe thought he'd finally won her over, finally gotten reality through her thick head.

It was time to end this.

With a half-second grimace, he slipped out from behind the column and watched Lumine's back. She had her head lifted, staring up at the exuvia with wonder in her eyes. One step towards her, a forced smile, and he began an ominous, slow clapping.

"You're not as clever as you think, traveler."

Lumine stiffened with surprise. The sound of his claps faltered, the echo resounding through the empty halls. She turned around to meet his gaze, her lips pressed together in a look of floated at her shoulder and glanced around the room wildly, "Paimon doesn't see anyone else here but the loser Harbinger, maybe the old lady was wrong about that prediction?"

"I don't know," Lumine sighed and narrowed her eyes, "How long have you been here, Tartaglia?"

Using his other title - she had her guard up. Good, she would need that. He exhaled again as he tried to uncloud his mind for the unavoidable adrenaline of battle. He warned her, he tried to tell her to stay away.

But when had Lumine ever listened to him?

"Just a few minutes," Childe took another step up the stairs, "it sounds like you're meeting someone here. The Millelith guards are dead, so…" he shrugged and smiled, "just me."

"Someone else is gonna show up," Paimon whispered, "just wait."

Lumine rolled her eyes, "I don't have time to wait, I've got to get the gnosis before he does."

"Right," he clasped his hands together, ignoring the building anticipation in his stomach, "Well, Lumi, it's been fun, it really has. You'll regret not taking me up on my offer to join the Fatui, you'd be safe and sound right now if only you had listened."

Lumine's smile brought another skip to his heart, an annoying reminder of just how tightly wound around her finger he was. "Would you still like me if I listened to you?"

Probably not. "You're in my way, Lumine."

"No, you're inmyway!"

So childish. "Not trying to make it fair anymore? I thought you wanted us both to win."

"I'll figure it out," stubborn, as always, she lifted her chin, "Just trust me."

"I trusted you earlier. I trusted you to do what I asked and stay out of trouble."

"You only asked me that because you know I'll win."

"Wait," Paimon put her hands up, "loser Harbinger was after the gnosis this entire time?"

Lumine shot her a look, "Where have you been? That was obvious from the start."

"Paimon thought he just wanted to get in your pants!"

That too. He sighed, summoning a hydro dagger and twirling it around his hand, "Listen, I'd love to stay and chat, but the Tsaritsa wants the gnosis, and she shall get what she desires."

Lumine did not bother to summon her own weapon. She crossed her arms and turned away, huffing arrogantly, "That's stupid. I'll get the gnosis, obviously."

"There's nothing you can do to stop me, printsessa."

She stiffened at the nickname before glaring, "Yes there is."

"No there isn't."

"Yes there is."

"No there isn't-" he sighed heavily, "Lumi we can't argue like children right now. Be a good girl and get out of the way, and I might spare you."

Paimon mirrored her glare, "She isn't listening to you!"

She would do well to. He sighed again, a light and dreamy sound. "Well, I suppose it's come to this. It's my favorite part now... the thrill of battle."

"You know," Lumine glued him in place with the look in her eyes, "I tried seeing the best in you. But I guess I've been waiting for this moment as well… Paimon," a soft glance to her friend, "stay safe, okay?"

It was rare for Lumine to send Paimon away. Childe had never seen her prepare for a battle this way, with a deep breath and a concerned glance towards the pixie as she disappeared in a flurry of constellations. Once alone, Lumine grimaced and flexed her fingers. Her sword appeared, shining silver in the firelight of the torches on the ignored the culmination of dread in his stomach. His veins buzzed with energy and adrenaline, mixing bitterly with the sight of Lumine's sad stare. He could not resist the thoughts on his mind, "I wish you would have just listened to me."

She rested her sword on her shoulder and leaned on one hip, "You keep saying that. You're starting to make me think that you don't want to fight me. Afraid you'll lose?"

Not in the least. He summoned his other hydro blade and took another step up the stairs, Lumine staring down at him with sad eyes. "I promise I won't kill you, Lumi. I'll just play along to feel the thrill of battle."

"How kind. You're so polite, did you know that? Hm," she pursed her lips again, glancing around the room, "I guess I'll just have to be patient while we fight, then. He might show up soon."

His heart twisted lightly, "Who?"

"My soulmate. The fortune teller told me that if I kill my opponent at the Golden House then I'll never find love aga-oh."

Oh.

Wait.

Who else would she possibly kill at that moment?

Childe couldn't help but smile. It was like the tension in an overfilled balloon, finally snapping apart. He could breathe again; she'd figured it out. He raised his arm and stifled a laugh into his forearm. "Oh? What'd you realize, printsessa?"

Lumine looked as if she was about to faint. She pointed the tip of her sword at his neck, making him laugh again as her hands shook and her knees grew weak, "It's you! Isn't it?Isn't it?Howdareyou?!"

"H-How dare I what?"

"Stop giggling! This isn't a laughing matter!"

"It's pretty funny…"

"Stop!" She screeched over the sound of his barely stifled, joyous andabsolutely relievedlaughter. Her hand shook even more as she waved the sword around, "Did you know this the entire time? Have you been keeping it secret? Oh goodness…" she gasped in horror, "That's why you had the fortune teller followed around, you didn't want her to tell me."

"Right!" He smiled and rested his hands on his hips, "I'm actually pretty happy that you finally realized it, it's tiring keeping that secret.Finally, you know," his smile grew mocking, his voice steely and cold, "are you more willing to do what I ask and get out of my way now? I'll even take you on a date afterwards, we can meet my parents, have a little wedding… I've been thinking about our kids names-"

"I'll kill you!"

Lumine was on him in an instant. Her sword flew to his neck, immediately blocked as the battle began. Adrenaline took its proper place at the front of his mind as he blocked, dodged, twisted and turned. The dance of blades began, with flashes of blue hydro and her silver sword in the air between their bodies. Lumine was glaring, though Childe could not hold back his smile. "Come on Lumi, just enjoy yourself!" Dodge, strike, find an opening against her, "Not many get the chance to square off with a Fatui Harbinger! Consider yourself honored!"

"Honored?" She barked a quick laugh before blocking his dual swords, their faces such close proximity that he could feel her breath hot on his skin, "Why would I be honored to fight my soulmate? We're basically already married. I'll start nagging you to take out the trash and wash dishes from now on!"

"Well," the clash of weapons, the growing tension in the room and the bated breathes, "I'm a little busy right now, babe."

He was still a smug bastard. Lumine raised one leg as he offered her an opening, kicking him in the stomach and blasting anemo to knock him backwards. The world was a blur as Childe flew through the air, landing on his back and groaning at the ceiling in sudden flashes of pain. The sound of her heels on the floor drew near, "How long have you known that our constellations are connected?"

He took a moment to gather his jumbled thoughts, "... Since the beginning," Slowly sat up and rubbed the back of his sore head, "And it's not a lie, the adepti confirmed it. You're stuck with me, sorry about that."

He should be. Before Lumine could strike, Childe jumped into action. He could not play like a cat with a mouse any longer. Grinning wildly, he yanked the mask from his hair and covered his face. The familiar warmth of his delusion ran through his body, power bolstering the electricity at his fingertips. Lumine froze in place. Her eyes were wide, and her lips parted in surprise.

"Electro?" Her gaze flickered to the newly formed polearm coming to life in his hands, "That'sunfair.A hydro user shouldn't have electro, it's like you're justaskingto be a superconduit."

"That's the point," he laughed and twisted the lance around his body, approaching her across the room, "The Tsaritsa gifted me this power, I've been curious to see how you'd handle it."

A jab, an electric purple flash as he teleported behind her, raising his foot and knocking her down. She gasped as he stood over her and lifted his lance. Before it could bury itself in her chest, she rolled to the side, and lunged at him with a jade dagger summoned into her had gotten rid of her sword and switched to the dagger, the one he'd given Paimon so long ago. It barely scraped his side as he jerked away and stumbled back. "I'm glad you're taking me seriously," Lumine stood and re-summoned her sword, "this marriage wouldn't work otherwise."

"Oh," he laughed, "we still have a chance?"

"Depends on who wins."

He gripped his polearm tight, "Didn't you say a while back that any potential suitors have to beat you in combat before marrying you?"

"Yes, too bad you'll be losing." She smiled, the look on her face clenching a fist around his heart yet again.

Lumine should not speak so soon whenshewas the one destined to lose. It was unheard of that a Fatui Harbinger using their delusion would ever be defeated, Childe could not even think of any instances. He smiled as he lunged again, teleporting at an even faster rate now and taking his shots where he could. Another barrage of hydro arrows, another shock that brought Lumine to her knees with a gasp. She could hardly keep up with his speed, only able to block half of his many strikes.

Lumine knew to avoid his hydro, the electricity of his delusion made it all the more worse. She forced herself to run, dodge another arrow, and duck underneath his polearm as he teleported in front of her was sneaky, and almost as fast as him when it came to switching between weapons. Once he was close enough, her dagger was out, aimed for the vulnerable spot on his stomach. He pulled back before the tip could go much deeper, and ignored the stinging complaints of the shallow wound. Lumine did not miss a beat, immediately summoning her sword and covering herself as she twisted to lunge at him.

They could hardly touch each other. She'd only been kicked around and cut, and he had one tiny stab wound. It was as if his limbs did not have the ability to do worse to her, as if he was stuck in sparring mode rather than a true battle. He knew that even if Lumine did win, he still would not kill her.

Despite her impressive swordsmanship, she was still not as fast as the boost his delusion gave. Another jab, another quick switch to his bow. Childe took the opportunity with the distance between them to do what he'd been practicing to perfection lately. The floor beneath Lumine's feet bubbled and twisted with the power of his vision. She froze, her lips parted, and looked down.

"Childe, I swear, if you drop a whale on m-"

He dropped a whale on her. She had praised him for this very trick just a month ago, bringing a smile to his face and a flutter to his chest. He could only wonder if she was still happy to see it in action. Barely visible underneath the sudden waterfall, Lumine rolled backwards in an attempt to dodge, hit by the end of the fin and knocked face-first into the floor.

He could not let up, even when she struggled to push herself. Slowly, confidently, he walked across the marble stage. He lifted his mask into his hair and took a breath of fresh air, grinning down at Lumine as she pushed herself up to meet his eyes, her arms trembling with weakness.

What a sweet girl, what a sweet sight. He would hold her if she were not his enemy. "Give up, Lumi," gently, Childe positioned the tip of his polearm under her chin and lifted her face to meet his, "don't force my hand any further."

Lumine's eyes betrayed nothing. She breathed heavily, attempting to steady her limbs. A moment of tense silence grew between them before she, finally, offered a sudden grin.

"You're a real asshole, you know that?"

Childe didn't have time to react. The floor beneath his feet trembled like an earthquake, almost knocking his body over as spikes of geo shot up like spears underneath him. He hardly managed to dodge one, before another spike appeared behind him. Then, at his side, and again in front of him. Frantic with adrenaline, he pushed through the constructs before the stone spears could impale his abdomen, yet only encountered more with every step. While he dodged, Lumine pushed her body up and slid her foot across the ground, causing another geo construct to grow from nothing and finally push him over.

And, as he lay on the marble flooring, it all disappeared. The sound of her footsteps was familiar, almost comforting, while she approached him and leaned over his body, "You think you're so damn cool, don't you? You're not the only one with two visions."

She was beautiful. She was powerful. She was the only woman who could ever take him by surprise like this, nearly killing him with the immense strength she held. Lumine held out a hand, summoning a geo construct above him that threatened to crash down with a simple flick of her finger.

Childe couldn't help it. He was excited and buzzing with adrenaline, his heart was racing, all he could see was her. She could use anemo and geo, she could knock him to his knees and smile while doing it.

He'd never been so in love.

"Our children will be magnificent, Lumine!"

He spoke as if he was about to hug her. Her smile fell into a glare, "At the rate you're going, I doubt I'll ever want to even hold your hand."

She dropped the construct, though it was not quick enough. He rolled out of the way, using electro to teleport to the other end of the room. Quickly pulling his mask back over his eyes, he shot her another smile before using hydro to vault him up to the exuvia's side.

Energy came off the dragon's body in waves. It pelted him with power, though he held his stance, leaning against the scaly construct and looking down at Lumine, who was glaring with every inch of her soul. She raised her sword from her spot on the ground, "I don't know how you got up there, but you need to come down now."

"No," he answered in brilliant sing-song, "As much as I'd love to test out your new geo prowess, I really must be going. It was fun," slowly, reverentially, he slipped a hand into the exuvia's core, "maybe we can do it again sometimes? How do you feel about honeymoon spots? Fontaine would be fun, or maybe Sumeru- wait.Wait..."

Wait.

Silence fell like morning snow. His fingers felt nothing.

Nothing. It was an empty lizard husk.

Frantic, his heart racing, Childe leaned in further to look for the gnosis, but it only revealed more black empty black void. He stretched his arm inwards in the hope to feel something. Only air returned.

Empty.

The gnosis was gone. And there was only one person stupid enough to take it from him.

"Lumine," his muscles tensed and his mind clouded. With his heart drumming in his ears and his blood boiling, he turned to look at her, "did you take the gnosis?"

She had her arms crossed with an entirely unimpressed expression resting on her face, "You saw me walk in, how could I have taken it without you watching?"

Logical, but not quite enough. The only one that would be clever enough to pull the wool over his eyes wasLumine. That was the only answer, the only probable conclusion. He glared from his spot by the exuvia, eyes wild and furious as every reasonable thought left his mind, "Well," a tight, uneasy chuckle, "T-This is quite unexpected. But, I mean, what else could I expect from you?"

"Oooohh," Lumine wore a mocking tone as she stuck out her tongue, "was the drama queen tricked? Did things not go according to your little plans? Poor baby!"

That was it. She was playing with the wrong man. With a growl deep in his throat and the air rushing past his ears, Childe clenched a fist. He summoned his lance and tensed, aiming for the weakest spot in the middle of the room. If this would not bring his revenge, nothing else could.

And it had been so very long since he'd gotten to use the transformation.

Childe jumped into the air, listening to the sound of rushing water and the drumming of his heart. Lumine was forgotten as the foul legacy wrapped itself around him. It was like fire, crawling up his throat and choking out his breath until he lost himself, his eye-sight going black. He could barely register his lance slamming into the floor and the spiderweb cracks along the ground. Next was the sudden crumbling of the world underneath his feet. That was what this power was meant to do: to see the world fall before him.

Childe hardly registered Lumine's scream as she fell. Rocks and concrete shattered into the basement as he carried himself down to follow her. A flash of white and blonde lay among the rubble while dust clouds floated in the air. His eyesight was always intensified by the transformation. It was simultaneously exhilarating, and terrifying, like free falling from the world's highest mountain without a glider.

Yet, he was still Childe. It was still his body, his arms and legs, his hands. He twisted the lance around his waist as he awaited Lumine's recovery. She would, of course, push herself back up with a glare that could kill. The universe knew better than to gift him a soulmate who gave up easily, even with broken ribs and blood trailing a crimson line down the side of her head. Red mixed with blonde, sticky and hot and smelling of rust.

And, of course, no fall could silence Lumine's razor sharp tongue. "N-Nice cape, your mom make it for you?"

Childe wasn't sure where the cape came from. He wasn't even sure what he looked like. It was not as if he used his foul legacy transformation to stand in the mirror and gawk at himself. It was rare that this form emerged, it was merely a beast born of the abyss's heretical teaching. He was himself, nonetheless, albeit quite floaty and much,muchstronger.

Lumine was acting as if she werenoton death's door. She held her waist, leaning over and coughing up a spattering of blood upon the rubble. With a heavy sigh, she lifted her head again and forced a grin, a mocking twinkle in her eye that set him ablaze. He felt as if he was drowning, barely breathing beneath this monster he'd willfully become. Before he could consider his next action, he found himself shooting towards her body like an arrow through the air.

She dodged, somehow. Another swipe of his lance, the tip catching her stomach and forcing her into dropping to her knees. As he striked once more, Lumine pushed herself back up on shaky knees. Through blurred eyes and black watery depths, he sent her a glance, "You got to the gnosis ahead of me, didn't you? Did you simply move faster, or leak the information about the Golden House on purpose? What game are you playing, Lumine?"

The sound of his distorted voice caught her by surprise. She yanked her body away, holding herself as she coughed and covered her mouth, "Would you believe me if I told you I'm not good at mind games? It's true," a sly smile that was reminiscent of his own, but far more beautiful with the glimmer of mischief in her eyes, "I can't play poker to save my life."

He attempted another strike, one that was so barely dodged by her weak roll. How fitting that she used his own reassurance against him now. She ducked another the spin of his polearm and shivered from the static electricity in the air invading her every sense.

Childe had never seen her so beaten before, so shaken. He'd never seen her bleed that much, though her tongue only grew sharper with every assault. Lumine pushed herself up and summoned her sword with a newfound wave of energy, aiming the tip at his waist. "Just stop already, you're only going to be embarrassed in the end."

As per usual, he dodged, twisted around, and teleported behind her. The battle seemed to drag on for ages. His own distorted voice was unnerving, though he was far too gone beneath the black waters of the transformation to care. When he was younger and barely beginning to master the transformation, nightmares of the sound coming from his mouth would follow his nightmares every night.

"Give up!" Lumine yelled, returning his assaults as angrily as his own, "I will win this!"

"Give me the gnosis!" His lance dug into the floor - it was meant to be her chest. Yet, she had moved far too quickly. Cleverly, Lumine used anemo and geo constructs to quicken her speed and conserve her stamina. Another jab, another slice through the air. His lance only made contact with pillars and constructs coming to life at the perfect moments. Four visions against each other, dancing in reflexive unison.

Scowling, Lumine utilized her windblade. The cutting gale threatened to knock him over with it's fury, though he stayed upright, just in time to yank himself back from the geo spears rising up from the ground. She had hit him a moment ago as he realized there was pooling blood on his arm and heat from an angry wound on his thigh. Rarely had anything, oranyone, ever been able to hit him during the foul legacy transformation. Childe wasn't sure if his heart beat any longer, if he could feel anything other than power. But he did know, in that moment, that Lumine would do whatever it took to stop him.

With water rushing around his ears and electro in his eyes, he paused to watch the traveler across the rubble-covered battlefield. Lumine sent him a tired . Perfect. No one else could make him feel this way, as if he might burst apart, his skin being the only thing to hold his heart together.

"I like you."

Lumine's nose scrunched up in immediate horror and disgust, "Don't tell me that in your weird transformed voice! Holy crap, read the mood! If you want to say that kind of stuff," she lunged forward, her sword finally to his neck, finally digging into his skin, finally knocking him to his back, "tell me normally!"

And instantly, as if Childe was waking up in the morning to a harsh hand pulling his warm blankets away, the light filtered in. It was like pulling each of his organs up through his throat. He gasped and writhed on his back while the transformation left him. Coughing and rolling over, the black waters drained, and the drumming of his heart calmed. Devastatingly, Lumine's sword left it's place on his neck.

"Man, you've got to start reading the room," her voice was muffled, too far away as Childe coughed into his arm and recovered from the abyss power's loss, "a girl doesn't wanna be told that kind of stuff while someone's trying to kill her. Do it over, like… I don't know, coffee or something. With flowers, preferably. You didn't even get me flowers."

Another cough, warm blood on his skin and the scent of iron in the air. With a heavy gasp, he rolled over and met at the golden eyes above. Lumine stared as if he was a dying fish on the shore, and he felt even worse than forced his racing heart to calm. His throat felt like sandpaper, while his fingers buzzed with electro. His stomach churned in nausea, and his knees felt as if they'd been twisted and rung out like an old dish towel. He took another deep breath, and another, andanother, not breaking his gaze from Lumine's even for a second.

And finally, she smiled.

He smiled back. It hurt to move his face. He wondered how much of a wreck he looked, then. He probably smelled like sweat and blood, and the foul legacy transformation couldnotbe attractive. But here, in this moment, she smiled at him. She graced him with her attention, a soft gaze that filled up his chest and made him want to burst apart and cover the walls in some gory show of affection.

Childe's voice was back to normal, albeit scratchy. He sounded as if he had a cold as he parted his lips, barely able to breathe out the word, "Ajax."

Lumine tilted her head, "What's that?"

"Ajax," he wanted to raise a hand to stroke her cheek, but his limbs refused to move, "that's my name. My real name."

Lumine's eyes blanked, "Your real name isn't Childe?"

"What? No."

"Oh… I thought your parents were just really bad at picking out names…"

"Shut up," he could hardly take it anymore. He forced his arms up, ignoring his screaming muscles, and buried his fingers into her hair. With pink cheeks, she lowered to his side, sitting on the ground and leaning beside him. He'd never seen anything more beautiful than Lumine, bloodied and leaning over his half dead body with a soft smile.

"I…"I like you, I meant it, I might have the ability to love you and I want no one else in this world besides you,"I think I overdid it."

"You think?" She raised a playful brow, "You almost killed me. Hell, it looks like you almost killed yourself too." Lumine stroked his cheek with soft fingers, leaning in to whisper, "I hope you know that you deserve this pain, asshat."

"...I like you."

"Read the room, Ajax!"

He closed his eyes in sweet delight, "Say my name again, Lumi."

"No! You're being stupid."

Incredibly so. He was not as clever as he thought, he had always been more of a in-your-face kind of guy. If he wanted something done, he would find the biggest, most dramatic, most chaotic way to do Lumine, fortunately, was trusting. Even now, as she leaned over his body and ran her fingers through his hair - it was the best feeling in the world, he could have stayed there forever in blissful daydreams. He had nearly killed her, and she him, but they held each other like lovers.

That was, perhaps, what being a starmate meant. No matter what happened, nothing could change the flow of the universe.

How nice. How reassuring. He could go to plan B in full confidence now, having seen firsthand how forgiving Lumine truly was.

"Hey," Childe opened one eye, a sly smile on his face as he raised a hand and summoned the sigils of permission, "I gotta go, could you stay away from Liyue for a bit?"

Lumine eyed the floating tag in his hand. She had found hundreds of those just earlier, guarded by Fatui and holding infinite power. With dread settling into her stomach like poison, she frowned, "The second you become at least alittleredeemable, you go and ruin it. Aren't you tired of that, Ajax? Don't you just want to be nice?"

Not particularly. He pushed himself to a sitting position, summoning the rest of the sigils to float around his body in a ring. Lumine gasped in horror and stumbled away as he took another steadying breath, "I hope you know that this really goes against my moral codes, but I still have a job to do. What the Tsaritsa desires will happen, no matter what I have to do."

"Well," Lumine gasped, "I'm your girlfriend, you should be working for whatIdesire, shouldn't you?"

He froze, "...Girlfriend?"

"Yes. And not for much longer if you do what Ithinkyou're about to do."

How funny that his first relationship lasted a total of 10 seconds.

"I have to awaken Osial, god of the vortex," Childe pushed himself up further, now standing on shaking knees and weak legs, "he slumbers beneath Guyun forest. This was all Plan B, I'll have you know, which is exactly why I told you to not come to the Golden House."

Lumine snorted, "Because you knew I'd defeat you and you'd be forced to use the method you didn't want to use?"

"Exactly," a remorseful sigh, "With this ancient God descending upon Liyue, do you think Rex Lapis will just sit back and watch the destruction of his people?"

"I thought you believedIhad the gnosis."

"I realize, now," he put his hand together pensively, now standing tall in the rubble of their combined destruction, "that there's no way you could have gotten to it first. So, obviously, Rex Lapis has to be alive, somehow. This is simply the bait."

Lumine stared at him emotionlessly. He knew that look, that disinterest, as if he was an ant below her foot. "And what if he doesn't show?"

"That won't happen. Rex Lapis would not allow Liyue to be destroyed."

"So confident…" she whispered harshly, "so you would risk killing families and children for the sake of a gnosis?"

"If… If that is what the Tsaritsa desires, then yes."

"I greatly pity you. I could forgive this battle, all of the betrayal and the fights we had, but this?Thiscannot be forgiven," Lumine shook her head, turning away and causing another lightning strike of guilt in his chest. She refused to look him in the eye, now glaring at the ground and clenching her fists, "I hope you're aware that I will do everything in my power to stop you. And after this is all over," another cold glance that stuck in his throat and suffocated him, "Ineverwant to see you again."

His breath caught. His stomach churned and his heart clenched. It felt like there was a hand squeezing him from the inside, forcing him to react in the only way he knew how.

"Fine," Childe turned, summoning his hydro, "If you truly wish for that, then drown with everybody else in Liyue. It's best for you to be out of the picture now, anyway."

Then drown.There went her soulmate, leaving the house of gold with a flash of hydro and a circle of ancient scrolls surrounding him. He laughed as he disappeared, though she knew the sound was fake. She knew he was caught up in his own mind, then, as he summoned an ancient God and prepared to end thousands of lives.

"Suppose I should go warn Ningguang," Lumine sighed and turned towards the door, her entire body aching with soreness, "And gosh, I really have bad taste in men."

As she stepped over the rubble and neared the exit, she grumbled curses under her breath. The air was still heavy with Childe's humidity, that damn hydro vision leaving traces of itself in his wake. She recalled the sound of his voice as he told her he loved her, and could only frown further. Just her luck that her destined starmate washim,of all people.

Aether would be so mad right now if he knew.

She sighed and ran to the doors. With her heart in her throat and every muscle aching in pain, Lumine left the golden house and watched the sky for any sign of Childe. In the distance, the world began to rumble.

"I'm giving up on love. I'm just going to go back to Huffman,hedoesn't summon ancient gods."

Notes:

the duration of Childe and Lumine's relationship: exactly 10 seconds

Chapter 12: Great Heights

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter fornotes.)

Chapter Text

Childe never thought he'd bethatguy.

That guy, who broke apart the floor of an entire building and nearly killed someone, got into a relationship - apparently - with that said someone, was broken up with about 30 seconds later, and then left to summon ancient Gods from forced slumbers.

He was that guy. Everybody knew one.

Just how did Lumine end up as his girlfriend? Not that he was complaining, though he doesn't recall asking her. As with most things, she decided it for herself, seeing what she wanted and taking it. The timing could not have been worse, he'd have to break it to his mother that his first ever relationship didn't even last one minute. Ekaterina was correct now, he needed wine and a bucket of ice cream - after he drew Rex Lapis from his hiding place and got the gnosis, of course.

As Childe made his way to the stone forest, he thought of what kind of ice cream he'd like. Chocolate, perhaps, that was a good flavor, he wasn't all that picky. No Mondstadt dandelion wine, obviously, Lumine liked that stuff too much for him to ever drink it the same again.

He knew that Lumine was doing something about this, but there was little chance of her defeating Osial on her own. He wasn't sure what Plan C was if Liyue was destroyed, perhaps just searching through the rubble and looking for any signs of the Geo Archon. Those types were hard to miss if you knew what to look for, the bright eyes and the archaic way of speaking - even the Tsaritsa wore her immortality on her sleeve.

Childe stood on the shore. The forest rose in the distance, like the fingers of a stone giant reaching up from the water as it drowned. "You know, I wonder why they didn't just move away from here when Osial was defeated?" He asked the subordinate organizing the teleportation spells, "I would just go to the other side of Liyue, stay as far away from this thing if I could."

He might attempt to fight it every once in a while, but he'd never settle his family beside the burial ground of something likethis.That was just asking for trouble. The subordinate sent him an odd glance, staying far back as the golden sigils floated around his body. On the shore were the many Fatui encampments that had been waiting for his signal to strike. Most of the more wild and experimented-on soldiers were anxious with energy upon seeing the Harbinger's presence. Many of them had been praying for plan A to fail so they could move to plan B and see some action.

"Mages," Childe walked across the sand, his arms crossed over his chest and the sigils around him as he approached the group of spell casters, "There'll be some defensive measures taken by Liyue, as is expected. Don't let up on sending soldiers in there," he cast a glance to the palace in the sky, hanging miles away over Liyue's mountains, "I have an idea of where this battle will take place."

The Qixing would go for the natural high ground, and Ningguang would obviously want to oversee it all personally. Whether the adepti would help, or not, he wasn't sure. He'd seen their distaste for humanity firsthand, and if that distaste extended to leaving them to drown against Osial, the better it was for him. It wasRex Lapishe wanted to draw out, not talking deer and fancy birds.

Childe ignored the chorus of 'yes sir' and glanced out at the stone forest, "I'll be starting now, it'll only take a minute. Cover my back if an angry little blonde girl appears, okay?"

"Uh," a hesitant glance, "y-yes sir?"

And try not to be incompetent. He knew better than to say that out loud, he'd prefer the fighters stay in positive moods.

The chaos had not yet begun. When he summoned the sigils at the Golden House, the power was just barely released. Now, it was the moment of truth, when he would finally spread his hands and increase the speed of the spell around him. As Childe stared out at the water, his fingers flexed. The sigils grew faster, and the air around him became dense with power.

Another earthquake. Another strike of lightning in the sky. He could not help but laugh as dark clouds gathered overhead. Never before had he seen such a storm form so quickly, and never before had he felt this type of natural power at his fingertips. With another burst of the sigil's energy, a cyclone began to rise from the sea.

It was beginning. Rain fell like a sudden blanket, giving hardly a warning of its downpour. The sand grew dark and wet underneath his feet as the rain soaked through his uniform. Behind him, the recruits corralled their teams together.

"Wonderful!" Another laugh above the rain and thunder, "Now, to sit back and wait!"

Finally, the sigils ripped themselves apart. The cyclone grew angrier, taller and far more powerful. With the rush of water and wind around his ears, he watched several more rise up and form into the shape of a five heads. It was a great sea serpent that began to push its way through the waters, heading towards Liyue.

Coming to meet Osial was the jade chamber, floating almost casually through the air. The shadow passed over him, making Childe glance up with surprise at the sudden appearance. It was too far up to make out the figures standing in front of the doors, but a flash of a white dress caught his eye.

Childe cupped his mouth and yelled to the sky, "Lumine!" He ran across the wet sand to follow the passing shadows of the chamber, "Lumine, down here!"

The little figure leaned over the edge. Golden and white, she waved her arms around in what vaguely looked like a threat. Before she could jump off - most likely to cut his head off - someone about her size grabbed her arms from behind and dragged her away from the edge. Just barely over the rain and thunder could he hear Lumine's voice screaming obscenities with his name laced in.

Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful.Andshe had a front row seat to the destruction as well. This could not go any better.

A white-haired figure rose into the air. Her arms moved with summoning, creating a geo structure that jutted out from the front of the palace. The light was nearly blinding as Childe watched three ballistas come to life, each facing Osial and shimmering with ancient power. A bird leaned against the one closest to his line of sight. He frowned as he realized that the adeptididcome to help after all, what a shame. This just became a bit more complicated.

At least his blood thirsty soldiers would get what they wanted. Childe sighed heavily and motioned to the mages, "Get some people up there now! Distract them, don't let them fight Osial!"

The poor cicin mage that took the first step onto the jade chamber wasimmediatelyknocked down. Childe watched her screaming descent in the distance, until she finally dropped into the water below with an unimpressive electric sizzle.

"Come on!" Lumine yelled from the edge of the palace, her sword waving around wildly, "I'll just knock them all in the water!"

How was she not having a full on panic attack by leaning off the edge like that? Just two weeks ago he jumped off a cliff and glided down while she screamed like a baby the entire time. Once again, someone grabbed her arms and dragged her away from his view.

His ex-girlfriend/future wife/future mother of his nine children was so cute.

Shots of golden ammunition flew through the sky. It knocked Osial back and made him roar in ancient anger, yet there was only so much they could do as the god advanced through the waters.

Childe motioned for more soldiers to join. The teleportation magic was tiring, but the mages had been training their whole lives for something like this. The Tsaritsa preferred her troops to be anywhere at any time, even Childe had mastered surfing across water in seconds. Attempting to overwhelm the forces protecting the jade chamber, he gestured for more soldiers to come through, "Destroy those weapons! Keep going, don't let up!"

A burst of power up high, Lumine's sword slashing through the air while she knocked more of his soldiers down. She was joined by several of the Qixing and an adepti boy, the minutes passing on and on in endless battle. Flashes of red, yells from the sky. He caught a glimpse of her body surrounded by power that was not her own. As Childe glanced around, his heart and stomach became uneasy.

He was beginning to run out of soldiers.

"I hate this part," Childe murmured as he turned on his heel. His footprints sank into the sand, his hair was in his face from the rain, yet he took no notice as he left the shoreline. While the last of his fighters entered the teleportation portals, Childe jumped onto a rock and glanced over his shoulder at the palace in the sky.

Golden signs and summonings, the buildup of power from the adepti manning the ballistas. Osial roared once again as he was hit with the largest burst of strength possible, blinding and golden and hot. Childe hurried in his pace as he retreated from the now empty shoreline. He slowed as the earth rumbled and the sound of another ancient fury caught his attention.

Osial pushed itself back up. Lifting all five heads, it looked to the sky. Childe could not help his smile, nor the relaxation in his shoulders, as a ball of pure energy formed between it's mouths.

Lumine stood on the lip of the jade palace. She held her sword and her chin high. She did not flinch, or cower, nor scream. His heart skipped a beat as he realized that this woman, this woman who the universe destined him to love forever, would not back down.

As the construct below her feet began to crack, a lump formed in Childe's throat. He froze, reaching out a hand to the palace in the distance. He prepared to use each inch of his vision's power tosomehowget up there to her, tosomehowsave her from falling. Before his weak knees would move, the world shattered beneath her.

He couldn't breathe. He couldn't think. He couldn't do anything butstand there,like a complete fool. Feeling as if he might collapse, Childe kept his eyes on the shattering foundation, watching Lumine fall for a frightening half second beforesomethingshot out to catch her and return to stable ground.

Deep breaths. Keep breathing. Calm your knees, Harbinger, he reminded himself, she could not be defeated so easily.

Childe took another step towards the city. He was close now, still glancing over his shoulder as while retreating to watch the chamber. Golden power surrounded it's walls, and he was now too far away to see Lumine any longer.

It was like a gravitational pull that moved him closer to Liyue. He was alone, his soldiers all having been thrown in the water and defeated. He had to return to the bank and gather the rest of the Fatui in Liyue and figure out what was next if Osial fell there. As Childe took another step, and another, he could not help but watch the shape of the chamber in the distance as it glowed.

And, as it fell, so too did his heart.

It was the biggest explosion he'd ever witnessed. The jade chamber hit Osial like an overgrown bomb. The world trembled beneath him. The ocean shook with fury. Rubble and geo and fire flew into the air in the shape of a plume, with the most deafening sound possible. Childe covered his ears and knelt to the ground as waves built up and rained down upon the city.

Lumine was in there. Lumine was on the chamber as it fell.

Childe felt sick.

"I-I've got a job to do," whispering to nobody, he pulled himself up and pushed back his wet hair, his eyes wide, "Northland bank. No time to… think about it."

No time to think, no time to go search the rubble and dive beneath the waves to find her body. There was no chance she was alive after that, nobody could survive that explosion. There was no use in running back to the stone forest and searching for any scrap of her life, it was gone. Even gliding away from the explosion would have thrown her off course and sent her flying into a mountain. She could not survive.

And he, inadvertently, might have ended her life.

No time to think. No time to think.No time to think.Just run to the bank and avoid the Millelith, race up the steps, take them two at a time. Force the doors open and burst into the lobby,fall to your knees and cough up your heart. Ignore the blood in your eardrums and the dust in your eyes, the water in your throat and the nausea in your stomach. Ignore the memory of the jade chamber falling through the sky like a dropped brick.

"Tartaglia? My goodness, you look like an absolute nightmare."

He was, and the nightmare grew even more horrific at the sound of that familiar voice. He glanced up, holding his throat and gasping for air as Signora watched from the middle of the room. She was posh and perfect, dry from the rain and unimpressed with the utter chaos outside. Just barely, he could hear the muffled screams of the Liyue citizens from the windows.

"You look like a drowned rat," she bit one of her nails in an attempt to look mockingly innocent, "do you need a towel? Took a dip, did you? A walk in the rain? I'm so glad you've been having fun."

Don't think about Lumine. Don't think about the explosion and her limbs being torn apart from the impact. Don't think about Lumine.

Childe forced himself to stand and clear his throat. He made a puddle on the floor with the amount of water dripping from his uniform. As he drew nearer to Signora, he shook his hair like a dog, making her groan in annoyance and flinch away from the onslaught of dirty water coming off him. It was a playful moment between the feelings of absolutedreadthat he was drowning under, his way of trying to cover it up.

As Signora scowled and wiped off her now damp skin, he finally could glare at her in peace. "What're you doing here? It's not a very good day for a visit."

Not that he'd everwanta visit from her in the first place.

"She's here to see me," a deep voice informed from behind him, the familiarity striking his already exhausted heart, "We have a business contract to fulfill."

A business contract. Zhongli, and Signora, withhermocking smile andhisserious eyes. Childe stepped back, allowing Zhongli to brush past him and take his spot at Signora's side. He crossed his arms over his chest and tilted his head as if appraising the 11th Harbinger's worth.

"What's going on?" Dripping wet, rather cold, and entirely heartbroken, Childe's eyes shifted between the two. He came here to figure out what to do next, to deal with the fact that Lumine might be dead because of him,notto be ambushed by the two most annoying people in the world.

Signora put a hand under her chin and pursed her lips in thought, "Mister Zhongli just said what was going on. Did that explosion ruin your hearing?"

A bit. His mind still buzzed with a high pitched noise that was beginning to give him a migraine. "Stop playing around and spit it out, Signora."

"Fine," a huffy sigh and a roll of her eyes, "we have a business deal. Let me guess, you didn't find the gnosis in the exuvia, right?"

He didn't think his heart could drop any further into his stomach. "...No…"

"That's becauseIhave it," Zhongli crossed his arms and stared at him blankly, "it has been in my possession this entire time. I assume you and Lumine fought over it, as well? As you two have been doing since you first met?"

"...Yes…"

"She won, Childe," his voice dropped in sympathy, "It's quite the fair ending, actually. Instead of having to split it between you two - which is not possible, I tried to assure her of such many times - nowneitherof you have it. So… she, in a way, got what she wanted."

What Lumine wanted was for them both towinin some way, not for them both to lose. Lumine wanted him to give up and join her, to show her that she was correct when she saw the good in him. He wondered if Lumine would have accepted his loss, if she would have counted it as fair like Zhongli did. It didn't feel fair.

"So," Childe steadied the hot anger boiling up in his throat, "who gets it, then?"

"I do." La Signora raised a delicate hand, "Or really, the Tsaritsa does. I'm merely the delivery girl."

"So, let me get this straight," he put up a hand, pressing his thumb and forefinger together as he glared closely at Signora, "Zhongli is justgivingyou the gnosis?"

"Yes."

"And he's doing this willingly?"

Zhongli now, "Yes."

"Why?"

"I have my reasons," he sighed heavily, like a man that had seen far too much, "It's quite a long story, but to say it succinctly, I'm tired. The age of the gods is over, it is time for mankind to take control. And you have no idea how much you've helped me, Tartaglia. Your stunt with Osial has only proven that this city does not need me."

Childe could hardly believe what he was hearing. The information sunk down into his skin like a soft drizzle of rain, tainting everything he knew of Zhongli. This man, with the bright eyes and the archaic language, with the resemblance to the statues scattered across the land, with the otherworldly knowledge and the extreme shallowness of normal human understanding.

Of course. Perhaps Lumine was right, he truly was not as clever as he thought.

"You'reRex Lapis."

"Yes."

"And you're givingherthe gnosis?"

"Yes."

"Why," he was hissing now, dripping wet like a drowned cat, "didn't you just give it to me in the first place? And you," his fury turned towards La Signora, "What the hell? What theabsolute hell?Shob tebe deti v sup srali!"

"Really?" Her gaze flattened, "Nobody's going to shit in my soup, calm down. I'm just cooperating with you on the Tsaritsa's will, the end goal is the only one that matters, not thejourneyto the goal."

"Cooperation?" He truly hoped that someone would shit in her soup soon, "You callthiscooperation? You've had absolutely no communication with me on this, I fought Lumine and I could've killed her! Ididkill her- Archons, I killed her. Zhongli," he took another unstable inhale, closing his eyes and attempting to calm the drumming of his heart in his ears, "She was on the jade chamber when it went down."

His voice was soft, comforting, "Childe, you didn't kill her. The adepti were up there as well, they wouldn't let her fall to her death."

"Ifeellike I killed her," he snapped, "What if the adepti didn't catch her? What if she died in the impact? It's all…" a glare to La Signora, the blood in his veins boiling and a feeling he never thought he'd feel in his throat - loss and misery and regret, panic and fear. How rare that Tartaglia was fearful, what had this woman done to him? She'd changed his inner workings with one sweet smile.

It was her fault.

Signora continued to not care in the least, "Don't take it so hard, Childe. Aren't you happy you got to skip the formalities and bring chaos to the land? I'm sure you must've enjoyed that."

He did, to an extent. But not to the levels that these feelings reached, he could not handle the thought of Lumine never sending him a smile again. He could not bear the thought ofnotorbiting her sun, pulled in by her gravity and glued to her side. He could not bear the thought in the same way that he could not bear the thought of the sun never rising, or the wind never blowing. It was natural, a feeling so thoroughly ingrained into his skin that it would be a betrayal against the universe by ignoring it.

"She cannot possibly be dead," Zhongli assured in a serious, heavy tone, "I'm confident that the adepti would not allow that. Despite his rather offstandish nature, Xiao would have the speed to catch her before she falls."

"Who the hell is Xiao? Zhopu porvu margala vikoliu!"

"Do you really think I can't understand Snezhnayan? That's really quite rude, Childe."

"Oh, you think that's rude? I could have killed Lumine because of this stupid trick! That's what's rude,you're rude!"He could not stand it anymore. If not for the Tsaritsa's wishes, he would have attacked Zhongli and Signora on the spot. Nearly growling, he turned, scowling and striding to the doors, "I need to get away from you two, I'll be outside."

Away from them, to the streets of Liyue with it's screaming people and the chaos. He was sure more were injured in the frenzy of the crowd rather than from Osial's attacks. How bitterly this entire ordeal came out, and he didn't even have to think of a Plan C. Signora was stepping in his way and taking the glory for herself.

Ignoring the obviously shivering and terrified Fatui guards, Childe slammed the doors to the bank shut behind him. Below the stairs was a sea of people ebbing and flowing with fear. The rain began to turn to a trickle, the clouds slowly dissipating overhead. The short storm was beginning to subside, bolstered by the cloud of smoke and debris from the destruction of the jade chamber in the distance.

Perhaps Zhongli was right. Perhaps he should trust the geo archon as much as he trusted his Tsaritsa. Perhaps he should trust the adepti and Lumine's strength, though that thought was not pleasant. Very rarely had Childe trusted anyone's strength other than his own. If he was there in the jade chamber with her, she would not fall to her death, not on his life.

The idea sat oddly in his mind. If he was at her side at the jade chamber, if he was helping her defend a city of thousands of lives and families - if he was a good guy.

Gross.

It seemed like forever ago that he leaned on the balcony in this very spot, watching the crowd of people move like waves underneath him. It seemed like forever ago that he caught a glimpse of blonde hair one evening, and thought of proving a fortune teller wrong. Forever ago, he told Nadia that he wouldnotmeet the love of his life. Forever ago, he was so confident in his ability to change the structure of the universe.

Love was a very humbling experience. Tartagliahatedto be humbled.

"Aja- Childe, I mean…" a dark pause, "I thought I said I didn't want to see your face again."

And Zhongli was right. He really should be more trusting, though in his defense the geo Archondidjust lie to him about his identity for months on end. It was difficult to trust his word when he had pulled the heavy wool over his eyes and brought him so much distress - making him think he inadvertently killed his starmate.

Yet, there she stood.

There, she watched him at the top of the stairs, her eyes wide and shocked. She had dust in her hair and streaks of dirt on her dress. Red, angry scrapes lined her arms, but she was alive. She was alive, and well, and speaking, and breathing, and looking at him with those eyes he would never be able to forget even if he tried.

Lumine was alive.

And Childe, being the person he was, couldnottake her up into his arms and swing her around the way he wanted. He could not hold her, he could not kiss her, fall to his knees and pronounce his immense concern for her. That would just be stupid, contradictory, forhehad summoned the ancient force that nearly killed her in the first place.

Hewas the reason she looked so bad, now. He was the reason her shocked stare turned into a hard glare, the reason her hands were red and her arms were scraped, the reason her knees shook with fear. He was the reason that she stood on the stairs, now, unable to move for fear that she would have her neck slit any moment then.

All Ajax could do was sigh, and force his gaze away, "Go ahead and attack me, I know that's what you want."

"Attack you?" Lumine scoffed, "I'm not wasting energy on you anymore. If I tried to fight you right now that would be a compliment," she knew exactly how he thought, the exact buttons to push to shatter him from the inside out, "If I wanted to kill you, I wouldn't give you the chance to fight back, you'd like that too much."

He would. She was correct, another battle between them would mean that she wanted to give him the time of day. Yet, that wasallhe wanted.

Fight me, stop staring at me like you don't know me. Just fight me and be yourself right now.

"You won," he sighed bitterly, "I hate to say it, but you won. It turned out the way you wanted after all."

"...H-How?"

"I don't have the gnosis," an uncaring shrug, "and neither do you."

"So who does?"

A scowl, "La Signora."

"Ihateher."

"So do I."

"Tell me, why does she have the gnosis?"

"Ask Rex Lapis yourself," another glance, another opportunity for him to gather her body in his arms and kiss her senseless. He resisted the urge, "He's in the bank."

"Rex Lapis…" Lumine tasted the name on her tongue, "is alive? Here? In the bank?"

Another sigh, "Yes. He tricked us both, Lumi."

"You being tricked does not excuse the fact that you could have ended thousands of innocent lives today."

It did not. And the entire ordeal went against his own conscience in the end, though he knew that serving the Tsaritsa was the first priority. Signora thought he should be happy that he caused destruction and chaos, and while it was quite the sight, he could not bear the thought of seeing the dead bodies of these people he passed by every day. He could not bear the thought of little boys like Teucer lying dead in the streets. His heart twisted again, as if there was a fist around it, squeezing tighter and tighter with every passing second.

"Lumi," a whisper, an avoidance of her tired eyes, "I thought you were dead."

She glared, her voice steely and uncaring, "Xiao saved me."

"Who..." he took a deep breath and shut his eyes, "is Xiao?"

"None of your business," Lumine raised her chin and huffed, "Not as if you care, anyway. The second I give you a chance you go and try to destroy Liyue."

"I have a job, you know, one that pays very nicely. I could buy you a mansion if you wante-"

"I don'twanta mansion," she snapped, "I want you to be nice."

He frowned childishly, his chin in his palm, "I'm nice."

"You tried to kill everybody in Liyue!"

"...I would've stopped Osial before he got to Liyue…"

"Sure," Lumine rolled her eyes, "Everytime I speak to you I'm reminded of exactly why we're enemies. I don't give a crap that we're starmates, Childe, the pattern of the stars does not determine my life."

He huffed, "I thought that once as well."

"I mean it, Ajax," the use of his name was like a lance through the heart, making him flinch and step away from her glare, "I will live without love if it means staying away from you."

If it meant staying away from him. She would live her life without a partner, without a mate. And while many people were naturally disposed to that, he knew thatshewas not. Lumine wanted love, she desired it, and she was trapped in a gilded cage with him.

His heart clenched. Childe took another breath, still leaning on the railing and avoiding her eyes, "Do you really hate me so much?"

Did she despise him already? Lumine sighed and walked past him, her arms crossed and her gaze pointed straight ahead. "I'm hesitant to even give you another chance. Frankly, I want nothing to do with you. I almost died, you know."

"I know," a whisper, "I know you did. I saw what happened."

"You havenoidea-"

"I know, Lumine. I saw your body in the air, falling like a ragdoll. I was terrified, and frankly I was almost about to try and catch youmyself.I have spent the last half hour thinking that…"

"That what?"

He could not see her. She stood behind him as he stared blankly at the buildings across the street, "That you were dead. You have no idea how that feels."

"I have anideaof it. I don't even know if Aether is alive or not, you would remember that about me if you ever thought of anyone besides yourself."

That cut deep. It was a poisoned dagger digging into his skin, "I think of Aether too, I've sent out spies to look for him."

"Well," she spat, "then that is all I ever wish to speak with you about. Do not contact me about anythingother thannews about my brother. We are strictly business now, you and I."

He was suffocating. The feeling felt similar to his foul legacy transformation, falling under a pool of black water and letting it pour into every crevice available. He shut his eyes, unable to stand the loud and overwhelming world around him while he processed her words. Do not contact her, do not speak to her, strictly business.

Where to even begin with that?

"Okay," breathless, Childe turned around to finally face her, "just promise me this one thing. And I want a genuine promise this time, Lumine."

Devastatingly so, she avoided his eyes. "For what?"

"I know how you are," a bitter smile, "I know you'll want to kill La Signora the minute you walk through those doors. For me, just this once, do as I ask and hold yourself back, please? She's not like me… She won't hesitate to slit your throat. And thenIwouldn't hesitate to slit hers, and it would just be this huge mess."

Lumine met his eyes in sweet relief, though her glare was steely and cold. After a heavy pause, she answered him "I think I'll believe you, just this once. Somehow, I'll find the strength to keep from attacking her."

He sighed, "Thank you."

"How did La Signora end up with the gnosis anyhow?" She wrinkled her nose in confusion, an expression he wasn't aware that he'd treasure one day, "I didn't think anyone else was involved in this."

He ran a tired hand through his hair, "Me neither. But apparently she had a deal with Zhongli the entire time."

"Zhongli?"

"Yes," another grimace, "Lumi, he's been playing his own game. It explains a lot, actually." Like why he leaked info about the Golden House, why he allowed Childe to tag along so much, why he didn't complain or question the financial sponsorship, "I'll lethimexplain it, but basically he tricked us both for his own weird ideas and beliefs. It's why I was out here," he gestured to the humid air and the panicked crowd below, "I needed to just get away from him for a bit, process what happened. We both lost, printsessa, but at least it's fair like you wanted."

"It's fair, but I still won't forgive you, no matter how much you were tricked."

"I meant what I said at the Golden House," he took a step forward, hands hovering around her arms as if he was hesitating whether to hold her or not, "I love you, I was telling the truth."

Lumine stepped back and glared, "I really don't want to hear that right now, Childe. I'm too angry right now. I'm angry at the stars, the universe,you.I'm just… I can't handle you right now."

He wanted a fight. He wanted her to throw things, to yell and be childish, to cross her arms and glare at him in that haughty way he adored. Now, she was just sad, she was just uncaring, cold. All he wanted was one half second of normality, a taste of what they could be, what theywere.

Childe understood her anger, in some odd way. He was angry too - how could the stars be so cruel as to put someone likeherwith someone likehim?He sighed and resigned to taking her hand in his own, letting the warmth of her skin sink in as he fabricated every inch of her face to his memory, "Okay. I'm just… I'm just happy to know you're alive."

She glared, "It would be your fault if I died."

"Trust me, I know that."

"I can't stand your voice, or your face," the glare intensified, "or your words, or how you look at me. I can't stand what you've done, what you believe. I can't stand your stupid smile and your stupid-"

"I get it, you can't stand me," Childe faked a smile and ignored the pain, "That's pretty rude to say to the man who adores you."

"Pleasejust go away."

"As you wish," he understood, he knew that she was shaken, on death's door and betrayed one too many times. As much as it hurt, he raised her knuckles to his lips, kissing each one while flickering his eyes above her hand to meet her gaze, "But, printsessa, you know we're inevitable."

"Let me cool down," a sigh, "please?"

"As you wish, lyubimaya moya," another press of his lips against her hand as he closed his eyes, "I'll try my best to one day be good enough for you… though I doubt that will ever happen."

"We'll see," a whisper, pink cheeks and a glare, "But I honestly think the stars have a sick sense of humor."

"They do, they're being cruel."

"Do you know to prove to me that they're not?"

"I," he pulled back, air catching in his throat, "I don't know."

"Then… Then," Lumine pulled her hand back and stepped away, "Get over it, loser."

"...What?"

That was the last thing Lumine said to him. That was the last words she left him with, like a slap to the face.

Get over it, loser.

Lumine walked into the bank. She resisted the urge to stab La Signora. She resisted the urge to stab Zhongli as well, of all people.

And after half an hour, Signora left, passing by Childe as she held the precious gnosis in her hands, and waved at him absently, "Come, let us return to Zapolyarny palace, Childe."

"Why do you think she said that?" Immediately, he asked, "Lumine told me to get over it, what does that mean in woman talk?"

Signora gasped, "Woman talk?"

"Yes, Lumine said-"

"Get your mind off the traveler, and on the mission at hand, Childe. Don't make me tell the Tsaritsa of your distractedness."

He huffed as he dropped from the clouds and returned theasininesituation at hand, "Fine, but I don't want to share a boat with the likes of you."

"Okay," she sang, "doesn't hurt my feelings. Get your own boat and be grumpy all by yourself on the way back. I'll have the servants prepare a bucket of ice cream and some wine for you when you return."

Perfect.Even if he could not stand Signora, her condescension did come in handy sometimes.

The boat left that evening, as night fell and the city recovered from it's shock. Childe managed to hide before Ningguang could locate him, though he left the stationed recruits at the bank to her mercy. The Tsaritsa would send someone much better at diplomacy to quell the Qixing's anger and fix the relations between their countries. At least they had the gnosis, her will was done, and he could finally go home.

Childe did not see Lumine after their conversation. She disappeared into the bank to speak with Zhongli, having left with the funeral consultant to finish seeing the memory of Rex Lapis off. Childe was long gone by the time she wandered the streets of Liyue once more.

The boat ride was a comfort, though he could hardly sleep. He'd never had trouble sleeping before now, but the sight of the moon outside of his window kept him awake. By the time he and La Signora returned to the Tsaritsa, the dark circles underneath his eyes had grown. The Tsaritsa, in her infinite kindness, only chewed him out alittlebit.

She knew, of course she did. She knew everything about her Harbingers. He assumed that after he left the palace, Signora filled her in on his minor breakdown at the bank. That would be a wonderful memory to look back upon.

Time to return to Morepesok, time to forget.

Going home was always an interesting experience. It was safe to say thatallof his family was quite eccentric. Ajax did not end up as Tartaglia for no good reason, there was quite the logical explanation behind that transformation.

He'd be out of a job if he was not a Harbinger. He'd be absolutely fired and put on the streets if he was not so damn good at slitting throats. He wouldn't tell his father that, of course, it would only make him worry. Ajax knew, though, that even if hewasfired he would still provide for them as best as he could. Fortunately, he was not, and even more fortunately, he wasnotbeheaded for nearly ruining the diplomatic relations between Snezhnaya and Liyue.

Yay for him. He was not a traitor to his own country, and he was not a frozen statue in the Tsaritsa's basement. His mother would appreciate that fact.

The house key was brittle between his fingers. He unlocked the door and stepped inside, his bags over his shoulders and his coat covering the winterized uniform underneath. An immediate blast of warm air kissed his cheek as he walked in, it was the comfort of home wrapping around him and hiding him from the rest of the world.

As Ajax shut the door to shield the house from the bitter cold outside, a scream of joy caught his ears. He could not help but smile as Tonia rounded the corner with a heavy blanket wrapped over her shoulders. She nearly tackled him, followed by Teucer, and a blank eyed Anthon watching from the doorframe. "I'm so glad you're back!" Tonia screeched into his waist, "You didn't die!"

She justhadto say things like that. Teucer scoffed and squeezed his leg tighter, "Of course big brother isn't dead! He's the strongest in the world!"

Of course.Of course,Teucer knew how it was. Laughing, Ajax knelt over and wrapped an arm around each of them, pulling their little bodies closer as he buried his nose in their shoulders. "I missed you so much, you've no idea, little ones. I've thought about you every day since I've been gone."

"You should have been!" Tonia ripped herself away, dramatically sighing and putting the back of her hand to her forehead, "I have been dying, Ajax! I have been utterly tortured! Mother has made me eat cabbage again!Cabbage,Ajax!"

"Cabbage?" Anthon gasped dramatically, "Oh really? Is itkillingyou to eat vegetables?"

Anthon was 13 now, that age where sarcasm and anger took over every little thought. Childe was nine when he was born, and 11 when Tonia arrived as a happy accident. When he turned 13, neither of them were old enough to understand what was going on at the time, but after several years passed they quickly realized the reality of the situation when they saw their older brother being dragged away from the half beaten body of a grown man in the middle of the street.

Ajax still felt bad for that. No child should have to see that much blood mixing with the snow.

Teucer was the only one who had never seen that side of him. At the age of eight, he and Ajax were 14 years apart. He was only four years old when Ajax was appointed to Harbinger at the tender age of 18. That was after two years of service as an agent under the direct orders of the Tsaritsa, though he still visited home as often as he could to help his mother and father with raising their very last child. They only hoped that Teucer would not be as much of a hellion as he was.

Smiling, he took in their scents. Sugar and cookies, pumpkin spice and evergreen. Burying his nose in Tonia's brown hair, he let out a soft chuckle, "I won't make you eat cabbages as long as I'm here. But Iwillmake you eat carrots, those are much better for you."

"Carrots?" She gasped up at him, "Disgusting! I'll turn orange!"

Anthon snorted, "You'd look prettier if you were orange."

"Shut up!"

Teucer groaned and pulled away from the hug. He put his hands on his hips, resembling Anastasia - the eldest sister - as he huffed and puffed, "Stop it! Big brother just got home and you two are already arguing? It's annoying! I'm trying to enjoy myself here!"

Trying to enjoy himself, he says. Ajax snorted under his breath, giving Teucer one last squeeze before standing up, his hand tussling his hair, "Where's mama?"

"In here, my boy," a sweet voice from the kitchen, the sound of home, the sound of comfort and childhood, "I was going to give you a moment to hear Tonia's complaints before I said hello."

"How kind," he laughed again, it seemed like all he ever did when he was home, "but you know I want to see you no matter the complaints."

Tonia huffed, "My complaints are very important, sir Knight. I'm quite distraught over the cabbage."

"I can only imagine, princess."

Teucer looked up at him with wide eyes, "What does distraught mean? Is it a bad word?"

"Please," Ajax hugged him closer to his hip once more, "never grow up. I will never tire of your innocence."

"But Iwantto grow up!"

He wished he wouldn't. His mother mirrored his expression, appearing around the corner with a wooden spoon in her hand and an old apron tied around her waist. Ajax advanced through the living room and gathered her up in a hug, taking her by surprise as he lifted her feet from the ground. She laughed in shock and hit his shoulder, "Put me down! Old women are not to be manhandled!"

"I missed you," he wore a smile as he gently set her on her feet, her house shoes tapping on the scratched wooden floors he'd grown up on, "You would not believe the stories I have, mama, meet me on the front porch tonight with some hot chocolate."

Tonia and Teucer gasped in offense, "I want to hear them too!" She complained, "Don't leave me out!" Even Anthon, who was far too cool for his big brother's stories now, looked mildly interested.

Ajax sent them a smile over his shoulder, "I'll tell you the abridged versions later, they're really quite boring."

"Are they about that girl?"

"...Hm?"

Teucer pouted, "That girl! The lady you wrote about in your last letter!"

"Oh…" his heart curled up in his throat, he coughed it down with a fake smile, "Some of them are, I guess. Not the interesting ones, at least."

His mother sent him a suspicious glance, "I half expected her to be at your side with how ardently you spoke of her. Where is she now?"

"I'll… I'll have to tell you later, mama. Let's not talk about that right now," another forced smile, another hug as he buried his nose into her hair, "let's just focus on us. How's father?"

"Oh, you know," she spoke into his shoulder with a laugh, though she could not hide the concern lacing her voice, "headaches and stress. The old fart's still kicking, though, our family doesn't give up very easily."

Ajax pulled away, "Please don't tell me he's still working? Do I not send enough money to support you guys? I'll send mor-"

"No," she whispered, "he does it for himself. He's a lot like you, he can't sit still. I imagineyou'dgo stir crazy with retirement as well."

If he ever did get to retire. He'd never thought of such a future before meeting Lumine, always imagining that he'd die at a young age. Yet, the thought of growing old with her now was sweet, comforting almost, albeit still a bit boring. She'd manage to keep him entertained through the years, though, he knew that.

He sighed and smiled, "Well, when he comes back let me cook dinner for you all. It's been a while since I've been able to make my specialty."

"Soup," Anthon grinned, his voice crackling as he turned away. He truly was the classic 13 year old, trying his best to hold back the embarrassment of growing up. "S-Sounds nice… Not like we don't have that every single day."

"This'll be different," he reminded, "it'll bemysoup. Don't think I don't remember how much you eat, Annie."

"D-Don't call me that! You're so embarrassing!"

Anthon would understand the role of a big brother one day, the embarrassment he was obliged to provide. As much as Ajax adored his younger siblings, he still would find ways to make Anthon blush, or to see Tonia gasp and punch him. Teucer was the only one immune to his wiles, far too young and admiring to care.

"I'll help you cut the veggies," his mother put a hand on his back, leading him to the kitchen, "and you can tell me everything I've missed. I'll fill in your father when he comes back later."

"Are you sure you don't want to wait until he comes back? It's tradition to sit on the porch with hot chocolate and-"

"And look at the stars, talking about everything that's happened while you're away," she offered a sly smile, "we can still do that, but I have found that since you wrote that very… gratuitous letter about that girl, I have not been able to get my mind off anything else."

"And…" he raised an innocent brow, "why would that be?"

"I'm just a concerned mother. You're my little boy," she leaned on her tiptoes and squished his cheeks together, "You're the only one of marriageable age that's not married yet, besides Sasha, and goodness knows when he'll settle down."

"When pigs fly, probably."

"You are a much richer source of gossip, my dear Ajax, and your grandbabies will be beautiful."

"How do you know? They could be bridge trolls for all you know."

"Are you going to marry a bridge troll?"

He thought of Lumine throwing a chair at him and biting Zhongli in the arm, "In a way, yes."

"Well, they'll still be beautiful nonetheless. I can't wait," she clenched her fists in excitement, "Ana's kids are such brats-"

"Mama, those are my nephews, your grandchildren! How could you speak ill of-

"Little Nik tried to set the house on fire last week!"

"Ah…"

"At leastyoudidn't have pyro," she gritted her teeth and walked to the kitchen, Teucer gripping at the back of her apron as she went, "you at least helped me fill the mop bucket and wash the dishes with your vision. It was quite useful."

He still did that. When home, he would always take over the cleaning and half of the cooking. Housework went by much faster when he could control water, dishes were cleaned more thoroughly, the floor was shined perfectly, and laundry seemed to go by with much more speed. While he was only home for about a week every few months or so, he wanted it to feel like a vacation for his parents. Seven kids was a lot, and Anthon was hardly willing to help, and whereToniawas willing, she lacked the skill. Teucer was just far too young to be of much use besides the simplest of tasks.

His oldest brother was in his 30's, with a wife and children. He hardly wrote anymore, and hardly stopped by except most likely once or twice a year. Ajax didn't know his niece and nephew very well, but would still send them money on their birthdays. He was okay with being the distance uncle with a lot of money.

After him was the second eldest brother, Sasha, who thought he was a celebrity. He was part of the adventurer's guild, frequently climbed tall mountains, and frequently romanced exotic women. There was no hope of him ever settling down, Ajax could imagine him still womanizing as an old man one day.

Next, was Anastasia. She was married as well, with two young boys who were far worse than Childe was at that age. He imagined that they would mellow out as they grew older, which was the complete opposite with him. He knew them better than his older brother's children, but still didn't have the opportunity to see them very much. He, also, sent them gifts on their birthdays - though instead of mora, it was more so random toys he found in the cities he visited.

The fourth child was him, the best baby. He was not planned, but considered a pleasant surprise. He was very calm, he hardly cried, and he adored his father and brothers. Until something changed in him, and from then on the subject of his bloodlust was tightly skirted around.

Anthon was next, actually planned this time. He was meant to be a girl. They gave up after him, but then was surprised with Tonia. After her, his mother and father thought 'what the hell lets do it again' and had Teucer. Mother truly was getting too old to have any more children by then, which Ajax was grateful for. Her arthritis couldn't handle another baby.

He wondered if that was how he and Lumine would be. Nine kids, it was unimaginable. He had a feeling that the superfluous number was merely a weird joke, and the amount of kids would only turn out to be two, or maybe three. He could not see himself living like his parents. As much as he adored his siblings, he could not stand being tied down by a huge family, stuck in one place until the surprise babies grew old enough to leave the nest. He wanted kids, just perhaps not that many.

"Alright, my little monster," mama shook Teucer off her waist, "go sit at the table and pick your nose, or something. Color me a picture with your boogers."

"Gross! But… I'll color you a picture with mycrayons,if you're okay with that."

"Perfectly okay. And Tonia," she grimaced at the 11 year old, "go do something productive, like, uh… dig a hole in the backyard and bury a potato, or something."

"I did that yesterday!"

"Bury a radish, then!"

"I hate radishes!"

"Go," she waved a nonchalant hand and pulled out an apron from the kitchen closet, "your brother and I must discuss adult things. Be like Anthon and start ignoring us, go to your room and brood about your zits and hormones, or something."

"Mother!"

Ajax tied the familiar apron around his waist as he spoke, "I'll admit, I dealt with this stuff too, Tonia. I was kicked out to go bury potatoes more times than you can count."

She gasped, "Did you actually do it?"

"Of course! I grew the best garden, full of all different kinds of potatoes!"

"Liar," his mother whispered, "your garden died every year. You couldn't keep a cactus alive."

Probably because it was constantly freezing here. He sent her a smile, "Tonia doesn't need to know that."

"I'll go," Tonia lifted her chin haughtily, "I'll build the best potato garden you've ever seen!"

"I believe it, my princess. You'll have the biggest garden in all of Snezhnaya."

"The biggest!"

"The best!"

Teucer scratched at a paper with crayons as he sat at the table, his voice loud as he interrupted, "Didn't you say that last year too? And the year before?"

But this year was going to be different, she informed. Ajax watched as she stuck out her tongue and stomped into the backyard, little feet making tracks in the snow as she searched for a good plot of land. Anthon was upstairs, having retreated to his privacy long ago. With Teucer distracted and the house empty of other prying ears, his mother finally leaned against the counter with a smile reminiscent of his own, one that spelled trouble.

Ajax's villainous streak did not come from thin air. His mother was a treasure hunter, once upon a time. She was the leader of a sect in Snezhnaya that terrorized the nearby villages. On a particularly dangerous heist one day, the Adventurer's Guild sent out his father, their top investigator and biggest hero, to catch her.

To make a long story short, she beat him up, and he fell in love. Ajax chose to ignore the obvious comparisons.

While his mother had given up treasure hoarding and thievery long ago, she still had that mischievous glimmer. She still smiled as if she was about to steal your mora from your pocket, still staring at you as if she was appraising your value and deciding how worth it of a mark you were. His father, on the other hand, was as sweet as a puppy, and as heroically innocent as a novel character. They were the oddest couple in Morepesok, and had the oddest children.

As he grabbed a knife and searched the cabinet for the veggies, his mother continued her smile. He had learned to ignore it long ago, though her eyes continued to jab at him as he searched. "Hm, you've moved things around? Ah," he smiled, "here are the carrots."

"Stop acting innocent," her giggle was low and mischievous, like a young girl getting ready to gossip about boys with her best friend, "I want to know everything about her."

He washed the carrot off with a bit of hydro and set to work, "There's nothing to tell. She's just a friend."

"Then why are your cheeks pink?"

"Because it's hot in here," he shrugged, "you have the fire going very hot today."

"Liar! Tell me everything!"

This wasmeantto be on the porch at night, after the kids had fallen asleep. This wasmeantto be discussed over hot chocolate and homemade marshmallows, watching the stars above and breathing puffs of cold air as they spoke. That was tradition, that was what they did every time he came home. "Father might be angry if I tell you first, I should just wait until he's home-"

"Come on," she nudged him, "you can tell me the good stuff without him getting all embarrassed-"

"What ifIget embarrassed?"

"Impossible!"

"... Yes, you have a point. And father does fluster easily…" he sighed and continued chopping at the veggies, "but there's nothing embarrassing about it anyway. Like I said, we were just friends. We were only together for a total of… I don't know, 15 seconds or so."

"15 seconds?" She gasped in horror, "That's! ... That's…."

"Pitiful? I know. Hilarious too? Also, I know."

"Yes, it's both of those. But alsoexciting,my little AJ was in a relationship for the first time ever!"

It truly was the first time ever, he'd never cared much for dating before. Like all children, he was smitten with the idea of marriage at one time, but as he grew older he found himself far more distracted by other pursuits. Not everybody in the world had a starmate, or a constellation, and perhaps that explained his utter lack of interest in liking anybody. He was, subconsciously, waiting for Lumine.

But then again, Lumine was head over heels for Huffman this entire time, so that theory was probably very wrong.

His mother had always been worried for him. Long ago, she resigned herself to seeing him alone forever. Once he became a Harbinger, that concern only grew into acceptance. He would be connected to his job forever, it was extremely rare for Harbingers to be married and tied down. Several of them were, but the spouses lived anonymously, and oftentimes were very lonely. It was far more simple to stay single when living this life, and his mother knew that. She accepted it.

Until now, with this glimmer in her eye and that smile on her lips. She was expecting something. Ajax supposed he should indulge her, just this once. It was not as if she'd ever get this opportunity again.

"She's beautiful, mama," he whispered as he chopped and sliced the veggies, keeping his eyes on his work and his mind elsewhere, "Her name is Lumine, she's funny and exciting, and so clever when she wants to be. She's so prideful that it's annoying. She never believes me when I tell the truth, and it's frustrating, but I just can't stop liking that about her. I can't stop thinking about her…" he slowed in his work, sighing, "She always starts these stupid fights with me, she challenges everything I do, she's exhausting, but it's in a good way. She just…"

"... Makes you happy?"

"I think so, yes."

"Youthinkso?"

He sent her a bashful smile, "I don't really know what that's like, truth be told."

"Shut up," she nudged him again, "yes you do. You know the feeling of coming home to your brothers and sister, and sitting in front of a fire with my pumpkin pie. You know the feeling of a good fight, of arguing with this Lumine girl, of cooking a good seafood stew and seeing Teucer happy."

"That's contentment, mamachka-"

"Andthatis happiness," she lectured, "Do you thinkIwant to bounce off the walls all the time? Do you think I want to sing for joy each morning? No! But I'm okay, Ajax, I love your father and all of our children, even if you worry me half to death. When we go to the market together, I'm comfortable with him at my side, I'm content to have him hold my hand. I'm at peace. Andthatis all I want for you, my love, ispeace."

Peace.

That was all she wanted for her son who raised hell on a regular basis. Peace was all she wanted for the boy who terrorized this village for years, who snuck out at night and ran into the woods to disappear for weeks on end.Peace.That was all she wished for, and most likely more so for him than any of her other children.

He was the least peaceful person in Snezhnaya.

Did Lumine make him feel at peace?

When she wasn't trying to argue with him, yes.

"I almost ended her life, mama," he whispered, looking at his hands, ungloved and bare in the light of his childhood kitchen, "twice, actually. We fought once, and the second time was inadvertently. If she was not saved by someone else with her, she would not be alive. And while I can usually move on from something like that, I…"

"You're right," she pointed out, "that isn't like you. Ajax, you've always looked to the future instead of the past. Since when did guilt and regret eat away at you like this?"

"Since I imagined myself killing her."

"But you didn't, did you?"

He sighed, "No, she's alive."

"Then why beat yourself up," she offered a nonchalant shrug, "I almost killed your father several times! He kept trying to get me to join the Adventurer's Guild, I kept trying to stab him. We're weird, and so areyou,and I hope this girl is too. Maybe that kind of stuff wouldn't fly inotherrelationships… but you do whatever the heck you want in your own! As long as you're not hurting each other or anyone else, stab away!"

Stab away was theoppositeof not hurting each other. He snorted as he drained the vegetables into a deep pot, starting the fire on the stove as he worked. With a moment of silence falling between them and the sound of Teucer humming to himself from the table, he took a moment to think.

Hedidalmost kill Lumine. That was true.

But she was alive now, so what did it matter? Other than the guilt that ate away at his chest when he lay awake at night, or the memory of the look on her face that refused to leave his mind.

"She said something interesting," he broke the silence with a casual hum, leaning against the counter now, "she told me to prove to her that the stars were not cruel-"

"The stars?" A gasp, wide eyes and the biggest smile he'd ever seen, "The stars, you say? Does that mean what I think?"

"She's under Viatrix, I believe," he thought for a moment, "the adepti of Liyue assured me that it was true - we are starmates."

Several days ago he had been on a boat to Snezhnaya, laying on the deck and staring at the velvet sky. He found Monoceros Caeli, the tip of his furthest star connected with Viatrix's sword. He recalled following the pattern down, and noticing how their shapes intertwined so greatly, so jumbled together with bright silver starlights. The middle of Viatrix also made up the sides of Monoceros Caeli. His constellation was only visible in Snezhnaya, though Lumine's lit up everywhere he went.

His mother clasped her hands together and gasped, "How amazing! I knew you had a constellation," everyone with a vision did, "but I never thought that… t-that you'd actually bedestinedfor someone!"

"Thanks mama, that's really sweet that you never thought I'd find love."

"You know what I mean! You've always been so uninterested in that kind of stuff!" She wrapped her arms around him from behind and buried her face into his back, making him smile as he held her hands at his waist, "You'll have to show your father and I the constellations tonight, I want to see just how intertwined you are. You know in Sumeru they say that the more your stars connect, the more you'll love each other. Tell me, is it just one little star, or…"

It was almost every star. He sighed, "You'll just have to see for yourself."

"So mean… What were you saying about what she said? I didn't mean to interrupt, something about proving that the stars were not cruel?"

Back to the memories of that dreadful conversation. He chose chocolate ice cream on the boat ride to Snezhnaya, it soothed him the best. "I just messed up big time, and she wants me to show her that she's not destined to be with some terrible monster of a man."

"Well, she's not," she snorted against his back, still holding him, "you have many wonderful qualities, Ajax."

He frowned, "You're only saying that because you're my mother."

"Well,yes,but I can see what kind of person you are when the…" a glance at Teucer, a lowered voice into a whisper, "when the Harbinger thing isn't going on, when you're just… yourself, rather than Childe. Both parts of you are good, of course, but you seem to believe you have absolutely no redeemable qualities."

A sigh, "I just wonder what she even wants. Flowers and an apology card? A romantic date?"

"Pft, vapid."

"What about a long walk on the beach, hand holding under the moonlight?"

"What are you, some trashy novel guy?"

She could be so difficult to please. "How does a million mora sound?"

"Are youtryingto make her feel like a hooker?"

"Mother!"

"Ajax!" She gripped him tighter, "Just be yourself! Don't be Tartaglia, don't be a Harbinger-"

"Thatismyself."

"Okay then, do that too. Be terrifying, boss around soldiers, whatever! Just don't forget to also cook for her, to hug her, and show her that you can be gentle. Iknowyou can. I know you catch spiders and put them outside without killing them. I know you sing songs to Teucer when you put him to bed."

"I don't sing-"

"I'veheardyou, you cannot argue on that fact. You sing like a dying cat, but you put your heart into it because it makes your little brother laugh."

True. He thought he was quiet when he did that. "So what you're saying is that I should just… carry on doing what I was doing before?"

"If she's really your starmate…" his mother stepped around him, now smiling up at him, her eyes wrinkled in the corner and strands of grey falling like starshine between the platinum blonde, "then she shall see the goodandthe bad. Hell, she's probably already seen the bad, all that's left is the good!"

How did someone become wise, he wondered. Was it just 20 years of marriage and the seven kids, or was she born that way? He doubted that he'd ever get to that point, wisdom tended to skip generations. "Thanks mama," a low laugh, "I'm glad I came back here."

He doubted that there was any good left, but he wouldn't worry about it. Let the stars fall as they may, be calm and peaceful andcontentfor once in his life - just let the future come at him however it so pleased.

Father returned an hour later with a catch of fresh fish, immediately dropping them onto the living room floor and gathering his fourth son into a hug. Thus, the nagging began, the marital bliss of having one's husband dump dead seafood on one's rug. After the fish, came Teucerinsistingon bringing his deactivated Mr. Cyclops inside the house, Tonia digging up the entire backyard, and Anthon yelling at them all for being loud and annoying.

It was chaos, it was incredibly messy, and it was home. Much to his mother's chagrin, hedidmanage to drag the Mr. Cyclops inside the house.

Ajax made dinner, as he always did when he came home. He gave his parents a break from taking care of the kids, letting them have the house to themselves the very next day. Tonia wanted to take him into the village and show him her new favorite store, while Teucer wanted toys, and Anthon was simply glad to be out of the house.

Morepesok always shook when he arrived. It was like an unseen earthquake, doors shut and windows locked. Old men scowled from their spots on the benches, old women rolled their eyes, store owners groaned in annoyance. Any peers from his age group that were still around had either glares, or stares of amazement for him. He quite liked coming home to this reaction, it made him feel rather infamous.

Nobody could forget when he was 15 and had climbed up the clocktower on a bet, just to jump off and give one old man a heart attack. Nobody could forget when he was 16 and dragged the unconscious body of a frostarm lawachurl through the streets - it awoke in the middle of town, and went exactly as expected.

His older brothers were much the same, though far less bloodthirsty and powerful. The eldest had once bought the entire town's supply of milk and left it in random places to spoil,for some reason.Sasha slept with nearly every girl his age in the village. Anthon, even, was a bit of trouble for his teachers. Tonia would frequently egg the village elder's house on the basis of 'teaching that old bat a lesson' - they were all punished fittingly. Ajax was the only one who wasconsistentlychaotic. Where his siblings were normal snot-nosed kids,hetook that up a level.

It was safe to say that the people of Morepesok were constantly stressed out.

Ajax took his siblings to the market square. Tonia wanted more eggs to throw, Teucer wanted to see the old man who gave him chocolate, and Anthon was having a teenage boy moment as he noticed a pretty girl. It was relatively normal, the temperature being at least bearable on this day. He only needed three layers, that was a good day.

He hardly wore his uniform when in his hometown, though he kept his delusion and vision on him, and the red scarf was ever present. As he leaned on the wall and watched his siblings run around the market, he kept an eye on Anthon beside him. It seemed like just one year ago he was taking a handful of mora and buying chocolate right alongside Teucer.

Now, he was staring at a girl. Childe grinned and leaned in, "So, you're into blondes, huh?"

"Shush," he whispered dramatically, "it's not just the hair, it's the eyes and the skin and the height!"

"Theheight?"

"She's short," Anthon sighed dreamily, "with eyes like honey and skin soft as silk. She could punch me and I'd say thank you."

The irony of it all. "We… are really way more alike than you think, bro."

"She calls me a loser, but I know it's just because she likes me," Anthon put a hand under his chin and laughed, "She's just too prideful to admit it."

WIth a heavy sigh and his hand tousling Anthon's hair, Childe forced the dark thoughts away, "Just don't summon an ancient God on a city and you'll be fine."

"...What?"

"Nothing. Oh, and get her flowers if you tell her that you love her, doing it during a battle to the death won't go over well."

"What?"

"You'll be fine," he laughed and pulled him closer, ignoring the complaints, "I'm sure you'll do way better than I did."

Nobody could do worse than him.

Which happened to mirrorexactlywhat Lumine thought.

Mondsadt, the roof of the Knights headquarters, 2:36 a.m. on a Thursday afternoon. The scrapes on Lumine's arms were beginning to heal, and she veryfortunatelydid not have a concussion.

"I-I really don't understand why we have to be up here," Barbara was stammering and shivering behind her, "it's way too high up…"

Lumine sent her a glance, "That's the point. I need to get over my fear of heights."

"But it's okay to be fearful!" She assured with a squeak, "You had an incredibly traumatizing experience when you lost Aether, of course you'll avoid things that remind you of that."

Things like falling, like looking down a void of nothingness and feeling phantom pangs of wings long lost. Like hearing Aether scream for help and not being able to help him. Like watching the ground beneath her feet crumble away with the impact of Childe's lance, only to break her ribs on the rubble left over, him floating high above assomething else.

Like the jade chamber, like Xiao wrapping his arms around her and bringing her to safety. Like the feeling of noticing just howbeautifulAjax's smile was. The feeling of realizing Zhongli's true identity. The feeling of saying farewell to an ancient Archon.

Lumine fell from great heights all the time, it was about time she stopped being terrified of it.

"I'm going to get stronger," she clenched a fist, "I'm going to stop being dumb and getting used all the time. I'm going to…"

Barbara leaned in, her eyes wide and her fingers soft as she ran them through Lumine's hair. She always attempted to braid it, noticing how long it seemed to grow every time she left for a bit. After being away in Liyue for so long, Barbara found herself twiddling with Lumine's hair more than ever. "You're going to what?"

A confident smile, with the city of Mondstadt below her, as if she owned the place. "I'm going to try to date Huffman again!"

"Oh goodness, give it a rest!"

"What better way to piss off Childe than to date the guy he hates?"

"No!" Barbara groaned and tugged at her hair, "As much as I don't want you to date a Fatui Harbinger, I'd preferthatover making him jealous and bringing his wrath upon Mondstadt."

She had a point, it really was a decision between the lesser of two evils. Lumine sighed again, her feet kicking in the air as she sat on the edge of the fortress, ignoring the racing of her heart. "It's not like Huffman would want me anyway, I'm far too emasculating."

Barbara giggled, "What about Albedo, or that Xiao guy you mentioned?"

"I considered them both," Lumine answered as if she'd had this conversation with herself far too many times in her head, "but every time I do I just get stumped…"

"By what?"

"Albedo's nice, but he's so…nice…"

"He's so nice?"

"Toonice."

"How can someone betoo nice?"

They could, somehow. "And Xiao isn't nice at all, but he just…" Lumine sighed in defeat, "he doesn't laugh when I do something dumb."

Barbara's gaze flattened, "So how could Huffman possibly be the right one, then? He's also too nice, andhedoesn't laugh at your stupid jokes either."

"He's safe, though, he's sturdy and stable and he wouldn't summon a slumbering god to destroy a city."

"But is he fun?"

"...Not at all."

She sighed as if speaking to a child, "Why don't you ask Barbatos? They say that if you climb to his hands on the statue and let some dandelion seeds free in the wind, they'll go to your one true love."

Venti probably scattered them to the most random of people just for fun. He would probably send her seeds to a mitachurl.

But, it did sound fun, and it would be a practice in overcoming her fear of heights. Even if Venti laughed at her for believing such an archaic rumor. "I might do it… but not now, I just want to spend some time enjoying you and everybody else here."

Barbara laid her head on her shoulder absently, "That's good, we could use your help. You should gather a ton of dandelion seeds, though, like 10 pounds of them."

That would be a lot of dandelion seeds. But Lumine couldn't imagine it any other way, she loved very largely, so she would send off thebiggestcloud of seeds she could possibly gather.

"I'll make it 15 pounds. Barbatos would have no choice but to send them to the right person, then, he couldn't possibly drop 15 pounds of dandelion fluff on some poor random soul."

Three months passed. Ajax spent it with his family, milling about the Fatui offices in Morepesok and doing odd jobs here and there. His siblings were glad to have him home for so long, and he knew that the Tsaritsa was keeping him free from work for a reason. He needed this.

Unfortunately, Childe was feeling as if he was about to go insane.

Lumine would not get off his mind. No amount of sailing on the cold sea helped clear his head. No amount of fighting, no amount of work. No amount ofanythingwould erase her memory. Those sad eyes, her refusal to attack him at the end, her refusal to give him more than a minute of her time.

Three months. 91 days. The Tsaritsa was finally sending him back to Liyue.

He stepped off the boat and onto the harbor. The humidity of the sea of clouds was stifling, but not nearly as stifling as thethousandsof dandelion fluffs in his hair and mouth, on his clothes, hiding in his scarf, in his bootssomehow.

He was absolutely drenched in the seeds. It looked as if his hair turned white, as if someone had very pointedly dumped buckets over his head. Once he sailed past Mondstadt territory, it was as if a cloud of seeds floated towards him and dropped down all at once, targetinghimvery specifically.

Childe sighed and spit out another stray fluff from his tongue. Hopefully, he could get through this assignmentwithoutanything else weird happening.

Notes:

Just imagine Lumine standing on the statue, scattering huge bags of dandelion seeds into the air. And Childe, on a boat, suddenly doused with fluffy white stuff. Venti had far too much fun with that.

Chapter 13: Denial & Teucer

Chapter Text

Three months of absolute torture.

Of course, this was for Childe's subordinates, not necessarily forhim.He was beginning to be worse than Scaramouche.

"If you can't do your job competently, then perhaps I should terminate you from this position? It shouldn't be that hard - it's just the Oceanid."

It's just the Oceanid, it shouldn't be that hard."S-Sir," the subordinate was shaking in his boots like a tiny dog, holding his flimsy little bow to his chest so tightly that his knuckles turned white, "with all due respect, I-I quit! I can't take it anymore!"

A pause, a glare, a narrow eyed stare as gears turned in Childe's head. "You… quit? You're quitting? Fine," he let out a breathy laugh laced with poison, "I can't stand working with weaklings like you anyway."

"Y-You gave me a hunter's bow to fight to Oceanid with,by myself!"

"Stop complaining and get out of my sight. Return to Snezhnaya with your tail between your legs. You're a disgrace to the motherland."

Childe, officially, was becoming a worse leader than Scaramouche. The only difference between the two were the intentions behind the sadism. Scaramouche sent his recruits on impossible missions because he thought it was funny,Childesent his recruits on impossible missions because he wasfrustrated- he hardly realized how he was acting.

The man threw his weapon down. It broke apart on the hard stone of the road, landing at Childe's feet. With a huff and a weak glare, he stomped away. He would return his uniform by the end of the day, lest he be tracked down by other Fatui and branded an imposter under the Tsaritsa's name. With crossed arms, Childe watched him go.

"That's the third one this week, I wonder what's going on."

The other recruits stared at the Harbinger in shock. Childe, somehow, had not realized who he had been directing his anger and frustration towards.

He'd arrived in Liyue a week ago, after the three month hiatus in Morepesok. It was rumored that the reassignment back to the city of stone was a punishment from the Tsaritsa, as if she was forcing Tartaglia to be diplomatic for once. He was not looking forward to having to face Ningguang and her cronies, having to put on that mask of politeness and apologize for the whole Osial thing. He didn't understand why they needed an apology in the first place, they were alive.

The jade chamber was gone, but she could always build another. The Tsaritsa had even offered to loan out a downpayment on a new construction project - Ningguang refused, of course, she knew better than to place herself under Snezhnaya's thumb.

Fortunately, he had not yet needed to visit Ningguang. She had taken residence in a very large mansion on the top of a very large mountain, though the height was not comparable to that of her late palace. Childe expected that she would respond to his diplomatic letter at some point, the one he had Ekaterina write since he wasfartoo busy for such things. He had dandelion seeds to pick out of his hair, recruits to terrorize, and things to kill.

And this was all because of the veryinterestingnews he heard upon his arrival to Liyue.

"Sir, the traveler you had us watch is… is…"

Is what? Childe needed to knowthat instant,he was covered in white fluff and standing on the harbor looking like a giant, walking dandelion.

"She's going on a date with a knight of Favonius!"

Since the news came like a brick to the face, Childe had been frustrated. He was half tempted to march into Mondstadt himself and demand an explanation, though he alreadyknewthe explanation. Lumine was stubborn, Lumine was angry, and Lumine was in denial. So, she reverted back to doing what she does best, which is fall in love with men who weren't good matches for her.

A week in Liyue passed since the update. Childe was bloodthirsty, and currently on a mission to calm himself down by fighting every ruin hunter he could find. Daily, he received an update on Lumine's movements in Mondstadt, though they were never very interesting. She'd spent most of the week terrorizing nearby hilichurl camps by trying to learn their language and communicate with them. In the evenings, she would join Huffman on his patrols and discuss the semantics of knighthood - how droll - and then retire for the night in a camp outside of the town. She was beginning to form a stable routine, one that was brought about over the course of their three month separation.

Lumine spent the last three months sticking to Mondstadt like a fly on honey. She had not stepped foot in Liyue, requesting commissionsonlyin Mondstadt. She did odd jobs for the adventurer's guild, and traveled with her friends. It sounded relatively normal, and quite comparable to his own experience of the last three months.

Childe did odd jobs for the Fatui, spent time with his family, and fought things. Morepesok was beginning to grow accustomed to his presence once more - he dragged another frostarm lawachurl into the market square, though he handled the fight a lot better than he did at 16. The local merchants of the sea-side village even began to appreciate him, his frivolous spending helped feed their families like Kings. Other than that, he would go fishing on the ice, think about Lumine, practice daily with his vision, and think about Luminemore.

It was safe to say that he dreamt of her. He looked at the clear sky of stars every night, desperately trying to find their constellations and remind himself that they were still connected. Each time he found something worthy of a fight, he wished that she were there to see it. Of all people in the world to witness his growth in strength, he wanted Lumine the most.

Three months. Three months of growing frustration and longing, three months of pining, of staring at white flowers in the snow and thinking of her. Three months of his mother looking at him with those knowing eyes everytime he sighed and frowned in zoned-out thought.

Upon returning to Liyue, being covered in dandelion seeds, and hearing of Lumine's subsequent plans to date someone that wasnot him,the frustration only grew. It was getting worse with each passing day.

The agents assigned to Mondstadt sent him a messenger bird with updates on the situation. The date was scheduled for Saturday evening, she and Huffman were going on a picnic. The knight was giving her another chance after Lumine allowed him to save her from a harmless slime that came for the city gates. Apparently, the whole damsel in distress thing was the key to his heart. Childe despised that Lumine acted as if she could not kill a tiny slime just to get his attention. She was better than that.

And, knowing her, she most likely was the one who summoned the slime in the first place. She was conniving like that.

"Ruin the date," Childe commanded a group of skirmishers, his hands folded behind his back as he paced back and forth, "go to Mondstadt and crash their picnic, stomp on their food, and terrorize the traveler. Let her know who this gift is from. Make her so angry at me that she won't be able to resist confronting me."

"Yes sir!"

Three months of absolute bliss - for Lumine, not for anyone else. She was actually beginning to become a much more pleasant person.

"Huffman, I baked you a pie. I hope you like it."

He did like it. He liked it a lot, apple pie with a sugared crust, made in the Good Hunter's kitchen where Lumine helped out part time. He'd seen her making wishes by the fountain during the day, wearing sundresses and curling her longer bits of hair. He'd seen her calmly negotiate with traders, buy flowers for herself, and be a rathernormalperson over the last several months.

It was as if she were not Lumine anymore, but someone else entirely.

And, unbeknownst to Huffman, that was slowly killing her inside.

"That pie looked nice, but I know you just want to kick a samachurl off a cliff, Lumi… I know you just wanna go crazy. Don't you want to just lose it, Lumine? Don't you just want to kill something?"

Yes. She truly did. Taking a deep breath, the traveler put up a hand to halt Kaeya in his tracks, "Sir knight, I have left that old personality in the past. I'm a lady now, I don't kill things."

"That'srich."

"I am not rich," she sighed heavily and put her hands to her chest, "I am but a humble lady of Mondstadt, trying to get by."

This humble lady of Mondstadt was currently wiping treasure hoarder blood off her arms in the pond. She sat on her knees, the yellow floral dress spreading out around her in delicate waves. Lumine frowned as she dripped more water over the blood and let it fall away from her skin in tendrils of color. She had only punched the man, yet he so very rudely began to bleed from his broken nose and get it all over her. Some people were so inconsiderate.

Kaeya knew that as soft as she spoke and as pretty as she tried to be, Lumine's right hook was still incredibly mean.

He sat down beside her with a sigh. Leaning back and staring at the clouds above, Kaeya let the events of the past three months run through his mind once more. It had certainly been interesting to watch, but was beginning to worry him.

The night Lumine and Barbara spoke, she decided something. She was going to try to get Huffman's attention again in some odd attempt to piss off the Harbinger, which was a terrible thing to do in itself. Yet, that mission turned into something Kaeya could only call 'Lumine going stir crazy'.

The first sign of her madness was when Amber found her on the cathedral roof one night, staring at the stars. She would hardly speak, only muttering something along the lines of 'the stars are wrong, the stars are so wrong'.

The second sign of the madness was Lumine's sudden disinterest in taking difficult commissions for the adventurers guild. No, she would not fight that ruin guard, because Childe would like to see her do that and she will never do what he likes again. No, she would not go to Dragonspine and fight the lawachurl, because Childe would like to see her do that and she willneverdo what he likes again. No, she would not find creative ways to kill hilichurls, because Childe would like that, and so on and so forth, ect…

The third sign of madness was the most obvious. Kaeya backed her into an alleyway one day and flatly told her, "He's your soulmate, get over it."

To which Lumine recoiled at. She took the next hour to inform Kaeya of the sheer idiocracy of his statement. That was when he knew, officially, that the traveler was in denial.

It was funny up until the point when she started baking pies and summoning slimes. It was a wonder that Huffman didn't notice her scattering elemental debris around the city gates to give him an opportunity to defend her. She was trying to make him feel good, more like a strong man who defended a delicate little lady.

It wasdisgusting.

"You can't tell me that you're honestly enjoying this little game," he asked as she dried her arms with a burst of anemo, "I know how you are."

"Thisis who I am now."

"I see you eyeing Wagner's new swords sometimes… I know you just want to fight something."

"Listen," Lumine huffed and pushed herself up from the ground, "if I change who I am, then there's a chance the stars might change. If I become someone Childe absolutely can't stand, then he'll want nothing to do with me."

He frowned at the sky above, "You're not going to be able to standyourselfeither. While peoplecanchange, it would be a shame to change someone like you."

Lumine's eyes were blank, expressionless. She sent him a glance before stepping away to leave, "I've got to go, I'm going on my first date tonight."

"A picnic, right? How domestic."

She knew the hidden meaning under his passive aggressive tone.How boring.

Lumine hated it when Kaeya was right.

"It'll go great," she sent him a fakely reassuring smile, "I've been working for three months straight to be the kind of girl he'd like, and apparently it's worked. Perhaps tonight the stars will shift in the sky, who knows?"

He didn't believe her, none of her friends did.

"Changing for a man is pretty pathetic, isn't it?"

Lumine simply sent him a warning look before taking her leave.

The news of her destiny with a Fatui Harbinger spread rather quickly among her close associates. A division was created between differing opinions on how Lumine should handle the matter. Diluc, Amber, Paimon, and Jean were on the side of 'work hard to change the stars'. Kaeya, Lisa, Albedo, Sucrose, Barbara, and Venti opposed that idea, consistently reassuring Lumine in various manners that there was areasonthat they were soulmates. Either he changed, or she did. And Lumine was so wonderfully stubborn that they knew it wouldnotbeherwho switched sides.

Lumine was rightfully torn between the opinions, so she simply ignored it all. She would go on a date with Huffman, he would fall in love with her, and she would forget about Childe.

She would forget his laugh, the genuine oneandthe low chuckle that sent a shiver up her spine. She would forget about his smiles, the mischievous one with boyish intent,andthe one he wore when excited for battle. She would forget about his hands, how they felt when both of their frustrations boiled over and he grabbed her so roughly. She would forget how angry those kisses were and howpassionatehe could be, despite the lack of light in his eyes. She would forget her own personal pleasure at being theone personto bring that passion to the surface.

Lumine forced the thoughts out of her mind. She could not dwell on them any longer, she would not allow it. Huffman awaited her on the bridge to Mondstadt, his hair brushed back neatly and his attire rather plain, butnormal.He was normal. He was sturdy and safe.

She sped up in her pace to meet him halfway on the bridge. It was the spot she had found Childe all that time ago, where he bled out from Kaeya's dagger in the form of a warning. It was the day afterthatwhen he said the words that struck her to the very core.

How could anyone love a pebble in their shoe?

Lumine wasn't sure how she managed to trick him back in Liyue, how she could kiss him and promise to stay at the bank while he got the gnosis. She wasn't sure how she didn't throw up from it all. Her pride and hatred in those moments were higher than ever, and all she had wanted to do as she kissed him outside of the pharmacy was to punch him.

Childe may be able to switch between opinions and moods like a flickering flame, but Lumine was far different. Lumine did not forget, nor did she forgive. And the words he said to her on the way to Dadaupa gorge that day refused to leave her mind.

Nor did the events of the Golden House battle, or the look on Ningguang's face as she sacrificed her home. She did not forget the way La Signora stared at her in pity, or how cold Zhongli acted when explaining his reasoning for the fiasco.

Lumine had a lot of time to think aboutwhyChilde flip flopped between 'I hate you' and 'I love you' so easily. She imagined that since he held the information about their destined inevitability for so long, he was in a constant battle with denial. Hewantedher to be a pebble in his shoe, and perhaps she was in some manner of speaking, but it did not erase the shapes in the sky. And he had to know that, ithadto drive him mad.

Lumine promised herself that she would not do the same. She would be far stronger than Childe. She would move on, and notdareto give into the large amount of attraction she held for him and his stupid face. Unlike him, she could actually control herself.

Huffman didn't glare at her, Huffman didn't lock her in place with that look in his eyes that sent a shiver through her body. He simply smiled, standing up straight and nervously fidgeted with his sleeves. "H-Hey, you look… uh, beautiful."

"Thanks," she swished the dress around her knees; it was borrowed from Barbara's closet for this very occasion, "ready to go?"

He held a basket in the crook of his arm, filled with the apple pie she made earlier and a picnic blanket. "Yes! It's a beautiful day, isn't it?"

"Yes…" the two began walking down the bridge, "lots of nice clouds…"

"Right. Uh, that one looks like a dog."

It looked more like a snake to her, she wasn't sure how he saw a dog. "I heard the weather's about to get colder…"

"Oh, yeah," he rubbed the back of his neck, "cold front's coming in."

"Might rain tomorrow."

"Probably, but that'll be good, the crops need it."

Lumine folded her hands in front of her as they walked, "You, uh, do you like to farm?"

"Oh, yeah," he smiled awkwardly, "I'd like to have a farm after I retire from being a knight."

"You're planning on retiring?"

"A while from now, of course," he laughed lightly, "I'd like to settle down, maybe have a cow, stay in one place with my wife and kids, have grandkids… S-Sorry, I realize this is a date and that's kind of weird to talk about."

Lumine raised a hand to wave the thought away, "No! No, I like hearing that, I didn't know that about you." She didn't know very much about him at all, which was the point, she realized.

But to settle down in one place forever and farm crops, the thought made her internally groan. She'd rather pull out all her teeth than settle down.

Huffman sent her a smile as they walked down the road, up the hill and towards Springvale in the distance, "Where do you see yourself in the future?"

Finding Aether, leaving this place and traveling from world to world. She would find someone who loves her, hopefully Huffman, and take him to see sights he could never dream of. She would fight and survive and live on the constant edge of adventure. Lumine only smiled as she thought of this, "Oh, I don't really know. I'll just take whatever comes at me."

A split second of awkward silence forcing its way between them. Huffman covered it quickly with a smile, "Where's your friend today?"

"Paimon?" Lumine kept her gaze ahead as they walked, "She's with Amber, she wanted to give us a little privacy to talk."

"Oh," an awkward beat of silence, an awkward clearing of his throat and a blotchy red blush on his cheeks. He was kind of cute in an embarrassed shy guy kind of way, she had never noticed how nervous he could be when not in his armor, it was as if he was a whole different person from the authoritative and responsible man who patrolled the streets.

Interesting. Lumine broke the glass between them with a smile. She pointed at a grassy off the side of the road, "What about there? It should be safe enough this close to town."

It should be, though if there was any trouble she would just let Huffman handle it. She knew that was what he wanted, to protect the delicate lady who couldn't lift a sword to save her life. She'd allow him that, if it meant gettingother manoff her mind. With the picnic basket in hand, he trudged up the hill to find a soft spot to lay the blanket down. Lumine followed and sighed against the gentle afternoon breeze.

It was just last week that she poured bags of gathered dandelion seeds into this breeze. She'd spent three months picking every dandelion she could find and storing it away for that moment. She'd not seen Huffman receive a single fluff, and Venti had been mysteriously missing since that night, as if he knew Lumine would have questions as towhereher many white fluffs went.

She didn't want to consider the possibilities much, but if they somehow ended up on Childe's head the thought of him covered in seedsdidbring a rueful smile to her face.

Huffman finally picked a spot in the shade. Setting down his basket and laying out the blanket, he put his hands on his hips and inspected his work with a sigh. "This should do, are you okay right here?"

"Yeah of course," Lumine sat on the blanket and curled her legs underneath herself, "So, I made that pie, what did you make?"

He offered a casual smile, "I just picked up something from Good Hunter, I don't cook."

"Like, not at all?"

"Nope, my mother usually cooks for me, or I just pick something up."

Childe could cook. He'd make her food all the time when they traveled together, and he was damn good at it. He helped her make the dishes for the offering to Cloud Retainer, it felt like forever ago that he was at her side, stirring a pot and laughing at how Paimon burned her tongue with each taste test.

Lumine forced a smile, "Do you live alone? I don't think I've ever been to your place."

"I have an apartment," he spoke as he brought out the packaged food, "I hardly ever have guests, it's… pretty empty, but somehow is always dirty. I'm not too good at decorating," he laughed, "but I am good at making a mess!"

Childe's office was always super clean. Even when he had lunch delivered for them both and ate at his desk, he would always clean up after himself. Lumine watched as Huffman took a slice of pie and shook crumbles of the crust all over the blanket.

Not a big deal, and the date had just started. She reminded herself to be patient and keep smiling, "So, what do you do for fun?"

"I read books and go on walks."

"Oh… what kind of books?"

"I really like old history textbooks."

"Okay… and what else?"

He put a finger to his chin and thought, "That's about it."

"You don't… I don't know, go fight stuff? You don't train to get stronger?"

"I train for work," he explained innocently, "but otherwise I prefer peace and quiet."

Peace and quiet, of course. "Do you travel?"

"The farthest I've ever been away from Mondstadt is when I went to see you in Liyue."

"I see…" they had not yet spoken about her supposed 'illness', she assumed that he was just being polite and not mentioning what Childe had told him so long ago. Nor had they discussed the kidnapping,orthe months of therapy he underwent from that debacle. "Do you like to travel?"

"Not really," he smiled once more, chewing the pie as he spoke, "I don't really care about seeing sights or anything, I'm perfectly happy here."

Good for him, though he didn't seem to realize he was saying this to the one person nicknamed, literally, 'the traveler'. Lumine thought of a change of subject for a moment, letting the stiff silence fall between them once more.

Another breeze, the sound of his eating and the smell of lukewarm restaurant food in the air. Lumine leaned back against the tree and sighed, "Well, it's a very nice day."

"Yes, it is. But it's supposed to rain tomorrow."

More weather small talk. She just wanted to take a nap.

In the distance, a glimpse of purple electro caught her eye. She perked up as she watched a tall, muscular figure stride towards a tree covering. He held a hammer in his hands, and was followed by a smaller archer. Fatui supersuit soldiers, and so close to town as well.

At least it wassomethinginteresting, though she resisted the urge to confront them. Pointing in their direction, she took Huffman's hand, "Hey, they're pretty close to Mondstadt, don't you think? Those types don't ever go into cities."

If Pantalone wanted to speak to the field skirmishers, he would leave town to speak to them personally. She knew Childe did the same with his own soldiers. The huge suits of armor tended to scare the locals away from diplomacy.

Huffman squinted to get a better look. As he did so, the electro vanguard with the hammer noticed their stares across the rolling hills. He pointed his weapon, with a faint yell of, "There they are!"

Lumine's heart skipped in excitement. She had resisted the urge to attack the Fatui for the last three months, she didn't want to give the Tsaritsa anymore reason to bother her. "Looks like we're the target," she leaned in closer to Huffman and grabbed his arm, "you'll do something, won't you?"

It was the perfect opportunity to show him how much she'd changed. She was not emasculating, she was a gentle young lady who needed protecting. And if he could fight anything like Childe, he'd earn her attraction as well. She watched the two Fatui soldiers trudge across the hills towards them as Huffman gave a shaky sigh. He set aside his food and stood up, summoning a sword into his hand.

"I'll defend you and Mondstadt both." His reassurance was so kind, so authoritative. That was the Huffman she liked, the one who was sure of himself, the one who defended Mondstadt and took the responsibilities of the citizens onto his shoulders.

Lumine sighed, feeling dreamy while he ran to meet the soldiers. There were no butterflies in her stomach, but she knew the sight of Huffman about to be caught up in the throes of battle would bring them back. She would fall even more deeply in love with him.

If only he didn't fall the second the electro hammer crashed onto the ground and sent a shockwave that knocked him to his feet.

"Lumine!" Huffman laid on his back, "I'm okay!"

"Okay! I believe in you!"

Slowly, he pushed himself up, but the pyro archer stepped on his chest to keep him down. Wildly, he flailed his arms and groaned in pain. With a distorted laugh, the bigger soldier raised his hammer once more.

Lumine sighed heavily. Of course he couldn't even stop these two clowns. She wasn't sure what else she expected.

She was underneath the vanguard in a second, sword drawn and blocking the impact of his hammer. He grunted in surprise as she kicked him backwards, then whirled upon the archer holding Huffman down. One swift punch to the face, one elbow in the ribcage, and he was stumbling off.

Huffman lay in the grass watching Lumine as she dodged another shockwave with a graceful roll and twist. Before the huge soldier could recover, Lumine shot at him like a dart, the aim of her sword true and strong. As she fought off the larger one, the archer slipped past Huffman with a yell of, "For the Harbinger!"

The knight of Favonius could not catch his breath in time to stop him. With no hesitation, the Fatui kicked his picnic basket like a soccer ball. Huffman gasped, "Stop it! Why're you doing this?"

Behind him, Lumine continued to spar with the hammer wielding electro soldier. The archer sent him a glare as he ripped the blanket apart and stuffed it into the dirt, "It's a gift for your first date, from Master Tartaglia himself!"

Lumine groaned in annoyance, "Really?Hesent you?"

"Yes!" The skirmisher grunted while he held back her quick assault.

"How did he know?"

"He knows everything! He said to make yousoangry that you can't resist confronting him!"

Lumine froze mid-fight, "...What?"

"You idiot!" The archer screamed and threw an apple at his partner's head, "You weren't supposed to say that part!"

"He… sent you to ruin this date?" She asked, bewildered.

Huffman stood and approached Lumine cautiously. He held her arm, attempting to pull her away from her locked on glare towards the Fatui skirmisher, "L-Let's just go, they're trying to bully us."

Now, her glare turned onto him, "You think we should justgo?They ruined the pie I baked you, aren't you…" frantic and angry, she racked her brain to find the right description for what heshouldbe feeling, "aren't you angry? Don't you want to defend me? Don't you want to kick their asses?"

"No!" His eyes widened, "I'd rather stay out of a fight if I could!"

He'd rather stay out of a fight. The Fatui skirmishers began laughing mockingly, and Lumine was tempted to join them. He was a knight, for goodness sake, and he didn't even want to fight the men ruining his date.

Pathetic. The small talk, the future he dreamt of, the way he ate his food, the way he was knocked down in half a second. Absolutely the complete opposite of whatshewas.

And, she'd spent the last three months trying to be like that. She'd taken a part time job, she'd avoided fights, she'd been domesticated.

Kaeya was right: this wasn't her.

"Fight me," she spat, "right now. Spar with me."

With the Fatui recruits having done their due diligence, they stepped away to give Lumine room. The archer grinned wolfishly, "Kick his ass, Mistress! Master Childe will be pleased to h-"

She whirled to face them, "Why are you still here? Go away before I slit your stomachs and use your blood as paint."

Huffman gasped, "L-Lumine that's disgusting! I can't believe you'd say something like that!"

"I've said worse!" She was screeching now, stomping her foot and pointing the tip of her sword at him, "That's what I do, that's what I've always done! Even Aether didn't stop me from being like this!"

"W-Who is Aether?"

That was it. That was the last string, finally pulled, "I've told you about Aether, I've told you a million times. I talk about him almost every night. He's mybrother,you boring workaholic flea, the one that's missing? The one whose face is on all of the posters around town?"

Huffman stared at her with wide, fearful eyes, "I-I'm so busy that I don't have much time to stop and look around! Y-Yesterday I had to fight off slimes again, and then break apart a drunken fight, and then pick up litter, a-and frankly I can't really remember you ever talking about him… I'm so sorry, Lumine!"

His apologies were sincere, she knew that. His genuinely felt bad. He was a bit domestic and a little boring, butshewas a bit restless and a little worldly.

"You," she growled lowly, "will make a wonderful husband one day."

"…A-Are you complimenting me?"

She was truly nothing wrong with him. Lumine sighed and pulled her sword away, flicking her fingers to let it disappear in a sparkle of constellations, "Yes, I am."

He took another deep breath, "Why?"

"Because it's true," she backed away, "thank you for the nice picnic, it was fun while it lasted," a pointed glare to the Fatui skirmishers still watching from a distance.

"Lumine, I really don't understand what's happening here!"

"You won't fight back," all he did was stare in fear, "you won't argue with me, you won't be passionate."

"I'll be passionate!" he scrambled up from the grass and reached out his hand, "C-Can I hold your hand?"

"No, Huffman. You shouldn't have toaskto hold my hand," Childe never did, "you should just take it. I need you to be on equal footing with me. And… And clever,witty!Say something funny for once!"

"Lumine-

She groaned and rolled her eyes, interrupting him, "Am I making you angry right now?"

"Yes, a bit!" He exhaled and glanced away, though his face betrayed no anger.

"Then what will you do about it?"

Despite all that, Huffman simply shook his head as he furrowed his brows at the ground, "I'll go home and take a bath to clear my head."

Wrong. So very wrong. The Fatui watching were laughing even harder now, eventheywere more her type than Huffman turned out to be.

It was an odd feeling, then, that Lumine felt. Release and relief as if she was a prisoner in a cage that was finally open. With a deep breath, she put a hand to her chest and closed her eyes, "Huffman, I really don't think we're going to work out. Like I said earlier, you'll be a wonderful husband for someone one day, just not… just not for me."

"I…" he processed his words for a few seconds before looking up at her, "I thought you had liked me for a long time?"

"I thought I did too."

"...It sounds like the relationship you want would be pretty chaotic anyway…"

Another sigh, "Yes, I suppose it would be. But truthfully, I don't want a relationship right now. I don't think I could handle it." Not after Osial, not after that fiasco, not after Childe told her so confidently that they wereinevitable.Inevitable her ass.

Huffman turned to leave. He sent her a soft smile and put his hands in his pockets. His hair was so neatly brushed back, lacking the wild flips and choppy locks she was looking for. There were no clever smirks and no dark looks in his eyes. He was justHuffman,normal and perfectly content with his life in Mondstadt.

And that was wonderful. She was happy for him, but it wasn't the life she wanted to live.

"Stay safe, okay?"

Lumine smiled, "You too. We're still friends, aren't we?"

"Of course, honorary knight. I'll forget that you yelled at me."

And that she called him boring. "I appreciate that."

She watched him leave. Slowly, he made his way down the grassy hill, towards the road, sighing and shaking his head in disbelief. It felt like a chapter in her book was ending; a man she thought would be a good fit turning out to be something else entirely. This seemed like the hundredth time it had happened. What a repetitive, lackluster book she'd written.

Lumine turned around to finally face the Fatui. Her cheeks began to grow warm at the thought of exactly why they were there - how Childe even found out about this date was a mystery. "Why're you still here?Leavebefore I rip your fingernails off one by one."

They both saluted, "Yes, Mistress!"

"And stop calling me that!"

"Yes, Mistress!"

She groaned, "And tell Tartaglia that I will never go back to him if I can help it. Not in a million years."

The archer raised his hand, "Would you like us to convey that this message is spiteful, or hateful?"

"Both. Tell him that I hope he dies, preferably from a heart attack while on the toilet."

"Yes, Mistress!"

She growled again,"Now leave."

They left, finally. She sighed and watched the inhuman retreating figures as they disappeared into the wilderness. As much as she hated the Fatui, she loved bossing them around.

Huffman was nearly back into town by then, a fact that she was grateful for. With another huff and an exhale to calm her racing heart, Lumine gathered the ripped up remnants of the picnic blanket to take back with her. The excitement of the battle began to dissipate into a dull throb while she left.

Yet another spot in Mondstadt that was ruined for her. First, Springvale inn and the Dadaupa gorge, and now this lovely shade tree. Relationships truly did make things far more difficult than they should be.

Lumine tossed the ripped blanket into the trash can as she returned to the city. At the top of the stairs, Paimon could be heard bossing around a waitress for yetanothersticky honey roast to be brought to her table. Lumine felt that she needed an entire roast as well and possibly a serving of dandelion wine. She needed Paimon's sarcasm and Amber's reassurance, to laugh again at something that wasn't her own stupid mistakes.

She took the steps quickly. Amber gasped as Lumine rounded the corner to approach their table. She stood, arms stretched wide, and a smile big enough to light the world, "How did it go?"

Lumine crashed into her arms instantly, "Terrible. I told him he was boring."

"W-What?!"

"He just," she pulled away with a sigh and avoided her eyes, "he was so… I don't know. I feel like he would've been terrible in bed."

"Of course,"she snorted, "that's what everyone's been trying to tell you! You just now figured that out? I cannot believe you'd be so blunt though."

Nobody had mentioned anything about beds nor performances within them, but the implications were there. Unfortunately, Childe had ruined her standards by pushing her up against things and being just the perfect amount of rough with her. Neither Amber nor Paimon needed to know this.

Paimon was far less comforting than Amber. She munched on her roast, floating midair and holding twoverysharp forks with both of her hands. She was very busy, obviously, and could not deliver the hugs and reassurance that Lumine needed. Amber was able to pull herself away from the food for at least half a second to comfort the traveler.

Amber pulled Lumine down to take the seat beside her. Like any good friend, she was aware that the fix to a terrible date was a ton of junk food. "Come on, let's order dessert too."

"Okay," she tried for a smile, "I'm not sad, you know, I'm just… I don't know, I just feel weird, like I'll be alone forever."

"That's not true! There's someone out there for everyone!"

That wasn't the problem. It was more the fact that the person made for her was a terrible man who summoned an ancient God upon a city of innocent people. Despite the attraction and the time they spent together, he had yet to show her that he was even a little bit worthy of a relationship. She had thought it before, and she would repeat said sentiment a million times over: A dead fish would make a better boyfriend than Childe.

And what about after dating? What if they got married? He spoke so casually of the matter, she couldn't help but wonder what that would be like. Would he even be a good father? Would he want to travel with her, living the kind of future she desired? She knew that he had his loyalties laid with the Tsaritsa, there was no way Lumine would ever become more important to him than the literal Queen of his country.

It simply would not work. She would not put herself, or her future children in the hands of the Harbinger, no matter how attracted to him that she was.

"I would like an entire cake, please," Lumine told the waitress, all of her newfound determinations stirring in the back of her mind, "Actually, make that two cakes. And I would like your entire stock of alcohol, mora is no worry tonight."

Amber cheered, "Lumi's gonna party it up!"

Paimon cheered as well, though her mouth was consistently full, "Lumi's gonna forget all her problems!"

That was right. She would forget all her problems. She would have her comfort food, she would have her friends. She would do a tavern crawl throughout Mondstadt, pay Diona to personally make her the strongest drinks possible, and then go to Diluc and havehimmake the strongest drinks possible as well. She would not care about responsibilities, or life, or anything of importance tonight.

Then, it was decided. Tonight, Lumine would have fun for the first time in months.

The Next Day

"I'm hungover. I have a stomach ache. And I am out of money."

Katheryne blinked emotionlessly, "I am not sure how to help you with those problems."

"You could help me by… Oh, I don't know," Lumine leaned on the front counter with one hand on her hip, feeling especially nauseous this wonderful morning, "giving me a commission so I can get some mora and take a nap in an actual bed, rather than the cold ground that I've been sleeping on for three months?"

Another blink, "I am not sure how to help you with those problems either."

"Oh, or perhaps I could use the mora to feed myself. You know, like us humans need to do. Oh, I guess you wouldn't know that."

"I am not sure how to help you with those problems."

Lumine grit her teeth, "Are you malfunctioning, or something? What's going on?"

"I am sorry," Katheryne laced her fingers and put her head down as if she were sad, "There are no current commissions available as of this moment."

"What?"

"There are no current commissions available as of this moment."

"I-I heard you the first time!"

"Perhaps," moving slowly, Katheryne put a finger to her chin, "you could visit the Liyue branch? They would have more to do there."

This was terrible. This wasabsolutelyterrible. Just yesterday, in a drunken stupor, Lumine had announced very loudly that she wasnevergoing to Liyue harbor again. If she wanted to see Xiangling or Ningguang, she would meet them at Wangshu Inn. If she needed something in the city, she would send Paimon. Yet, even her pixie friend did not wish to go into the city, she would surely pull out each Fatui's hair that she saw.

Lumine had to assume that Childe was back in Liyue, unless he was giving orders all the way from Snezhnaya. Somehow he knew that she was going on a date, and somehow he'd gotten skirmishers to Mondstadt quickly enough to interrupt said date. There was a big chance he was in Liyue - every Harbinger had their usual haunts. Monstadt was Pantalone's, and Liyue was Childe's.

"Are you sure there's no commissions?" Lumine was nearlybeggingon the front counter of the guild, "Nothing at all? I really need mora."

"Perhaps…" Katheryne tilted her head, her eyes wide, "you should not have spent it all last night?"

"... How do you know about last night?"

"I power off in this spot each night, but my inner core still gathers information of what is happening around me. Data file #98577, Traveler Lumine and Pixie Paimon, falling to the ground approximately 8.02 feet away. Sound decibel of 70.0. Statement: I should not have spent all of my mora tonight. End statement. File #98577 data recovery sequence ended."

Lumine stared in shocked silence.

Katheryne blinked, "There are no current commissions available at this moment."

"But-"

"There are no current commissions available at this moment. Perhaps you could visit the Liyue branch?"

She could, but she didn'twantto. Lumine pulled away from the counter in defeat, waving goodbye to Katheryne as Paimon popped into existence at her shoulder. Deflated, she sat on the stone steps and glared at the entrance to town.

"Hey," Paimon pulled softly at her hair, "don't frown so hard! We can get money somewhere else, what about working at the Good Hunter?"

Another grumpy pout, "It would take another two weeks before I got my paycheck."

"Oh… what about asking around the Dawn Winery to see if they needed anything?"

"They commission all their jobs through the adventurer's guild."

"Ah… Perhaps Lumi could sweep the church floors for a few mora?"

"Barbara's mad at me for summoning a geo construct on the statue of Barbatos last night."

"Okay…" it was pretty funny to everybody else besides the church members, and the construct disappeared after a few minutes anyhow, Paimon wasn't sure what got up the nun's butt about that, "Well, maybe we can put on disguises and sneak into Liyue, like… mustaches, or something!"

She perked up at the thought. That was a good idea, though perhaps not mustaches. She could borrow clothes from Amber, perhaps wear a hood over her head to cover her hair. She could sneak into the city without any Fatui noticing her presence and reporting it to Childe.

There was also the possibility that he wasn't even in town. Liyue harbor was a big place, how easily could she run into him?

"Alright," Lumine stood from her spot and dusted off her dress, "no use just sitting here and moping. We had fun last night, right?"

Paimon giggled, "Right!"

"So, let's keep having fun! We won't let fear of seeing a Harbinger ruin our money making!"

"No way!"

"And-" she caught a glimpse of Huffman on his patrols in the distance, smiling at a child as he passed. Her heart dropped in sudden guilt, "And it would probably be best to take a break from Mondstadt."

"So, let Paimon get this straight," she laced her tiny fingers together, "Lumi would rather face a Fatui Harbinger, an omen of approaching death and destruction, than a harmlessboringknight?"

She leveled her with a flat look, "I'm going stir crazy here."

"Ah… true…" She clapped her hands, "Okay then, in and out of Liyue in a jiffy! By then the adventurer's guild here should have more commissions as well!"

"Right! Off to Liyue, we go!"

"Off to Liyue!"

Lumine quickly discovered that traveling with a wicked hangover was not fun.

First of all, the sun was so horrifically bright. And the roads were so horrifically long. She stopped to vomit a little, while Paimon held her hair back. They took a nap underneath a tree together, was woken up by hilichurls, threw up again, fought the hilichurls, and fell back asleep.

Even the next day when her hangover was gone, Lumine found herself irritated by the usual sights and surroundings. She made rude gestures to a camp of treasure hoarders, was promptly chased down the road, tripped, sprained her ankle, and felt like throwing up again. After defeating them, she was beyond frustrated to discover that they had no mora either.

Lumine camped out as she always did, though she seemed to have grown a permanent headache. Paimon insisted that the headache was from the stress of going to Liyue, and she could not help but agree. Several days later, as the mountains came into view, Lumine's stomach dropped with anxiety.

She spent the next several days of travel hunting birds, sleeping, and glaring at statues of Rex Lapis. She even kicked one, though that just proved to hurt her sprained ankle even more.

A week passed, and Lumine had not yet found any mora. The treasure hunters seemed to never have any, nor did the Fatui skirmishers she fought. Hilichurls never carried the stuff, of course. It seemed that the universe just simply hated her, which would make a lot of sense actually.

It was when Liyue was finally in view, that Lumine had her first cordial human interaction.

"Hey, homeless lady!"

She whirled around at the call. Paimon snorted into her hand and disappeared with a flurry of constellations before Lumine could throw her across the road. Glaring, she wiped at her dress to dust off whatever homeless-ness the Millileth guard had seen in her, though it was more likely the knotted hair, muddy boots, scraped arms, and leaves stuffed into her bodice. She had recently fought off yet another treasure hoarder camp in search of extra mora, and not yet had time to freshen up. And perhaps Lan would be impressed by her rough looks and give her the best paying commission yet.

"Yes?" Lumine put her hands on his hips and tried to look elegant, as if she werenota crazy person covered in foliage, "What can I help you with?"

He approached from the other side of the road and held his polearm to attention, "I wouldn't go any further if I were you, I've been stationed here to warn travelers of taking this route. You should go around, or go back."

That was surprising. This was the route she usually took, and it never gave her much trouble. "What's going on?"

"Ruin guard activity," he sighed heavily, "nobody knows why, but they've just been wandering around here lately."

Lumine often forgot that the average person does not challenge ruin guards on a regular basis. She put a hand to her chin in thought, glancing away, "How many have been spotted?"

"Just a few-"

"I bet those chaos devices would sell for a pretty mora…"

"Ma'am," the Millelith put up a hand, "it's not worth it. Those machines are highly agitable. You're so small," and filthy and insane looking, "that they could just stomp you like a bug."

She was aware of that, she'd been almost stomped by quite a few of those things, most likely much more than this fellow. "It's no big deal, I'll take care of it. You can go back to town and tell your boss that this road will be safe after I'm through."

"I-I mean… I don't recommend it-"

"And tell your boss that I would like a reward as well, I'll be into town in a bit to collect."

"Well…" it wasn't like she was going to come back from a fight like that, though this man was not sure the kind of person he was speaking to, "Okay then, I can lead a horse to water but I can't make it drink. If you're so dead set on taking care of it, then I can't stop you."

That's right, he couldn't. She would get the reward and sell the chaos devices,anddo commissions for the guild, then she'd be sitting quite pretty by the end of it all. Nobody would think her homeless any longer - she was, but it was more of a choice than anything else.

As the Millelith left, sending her glances that spoke of his disbelief, Lumine trudged up the hill to face the presumed ruin guards terrorizing the area. Paimon flickered back into this world at her shoulder and gripped her hair like a lifeline, "Lumi, are you sure you have the energy for this?"

"Yeah, I ate two days ago."

"Lumi…"

"It's notmyfault that birds and boars are hard to catch."

"It… kind of is…"

She begged to differ. Lumine walked up the steps of the ruins in silence, ignoring the grumbling of her stomach and the weakness in her knees. Sitting like overgrown dolls, the ruin guards leaned on the walls and slumbered. She hurried past them in the hopes that they would not awaken at her presence.

None of them did, they kept still and silent. Paimon drew closer, "None of them are up… W-Wait!"

Lumine jumped and gasped, "What is it?"

"Paimon hears something! It sounds like…" the tinkle of laughter, soft footsteps against stone in the distance, "like a kid!"

She was right. Itdidsound like a little kid, and the sound thoroughly creeped her out. Tense, Lumine peered around a corner and held her breath as she followed the noise of footsteps and laughter.

And there, in the sunlight, standing in front of a deactivated ruin guard, was a red haired little boy. He was perfectly alive, not ghostly in the least.

Both Paimon and Lumine let out a sharp exhale of relief. They'd had one too many creepy ghost kids in Liyue for both their lifetimes. Paimon floated ahead of her and rounded the corner with a wave and a greeting to catch his attention, "Hey! Little boy!"

Instantly, he jumped. Whirling around to face Paimon, his fists clenched as he went onto his tip toes. His eyes were wide with wonder as he stared up at her, "Woah! That's so cool! You can talk!"

She snorted and put her hands on her hips, "Of course Paimon can talk! What do you think Paimon is?"

Lumine followed at a slower pace, "A nuisance."

The kid flickered his curious gaze over to Lumine, "What's a… noosense?"

"It's whatever Paimon isn't!"

Lumine ignored the pixie above her and knelt down to the child's level. He smiled and readjusted his furry hat, freckles dotting his cheeks like constellations. He had to be around seven or eight, though he was small for his age. The ruin guard he had been gawking at made no move to stand, yet Lumine stayed on her guard just in case.

"What're you doing here?" She tilted her head as she inspected his face and arms for any sign of injury, "Are you lost? It's really dangerous around here."

He snorted as if she was stupid, "It's not dangerous! Mister Cyclops is here to protect me!"

Paimon stared in wonder, "Mister Cyclops?"

"That thing!" He pointed at the ruin guard, "It's the best toy in the world, and an awesome superhero!"

Thatwas a killer machine that could kick him miles into the air. Lumine gazed at the ruin guard with wide eyes, her lips parted as she thought of his words. "Huh… that's kind of a cute name, I think I'll start calling them that too."

"That's what they're called no matter what!" He clenched his fists and stomped his foot, "My big brother told me so! He sells them!"

"Oh… hesellsthem?"

"Paimon didn't know that was a viable market…" She whispered, floating by her ear and looking at the kid with wary eyes.

"It is! I'm Teucer, by the way," he put out a little hand for her to shake, "and to answer your question earlier, I'll admit that I am a bit lost…"

Of course he was. There were no adults around, and this kid was obviously not from Liyue. There was something familiar about the shape of his eyes and the freckles on his cheeks. His hair was wild as well, feathery and fluttering in his face with every mountain breeze. He grinned largely as Lumine shook his hand from her spot on her knees in front of him, "Very nice to meet you, Teucer. I'm Lumine."

"You're really pretty, miss Lumine!"

"Oh, thank you!"

"Like a printsessa!"

That familiar word struck her to her core, like someone had dropped hot coals into her stomach. She froze mid-handshake. "W-What was that?"

"Oh," his cheeks grew pink, "sorry, that's what we call princesses where I'm from."

Paimon crossed her arms and glared, "Let Paimon guess: Snezhnaya?"

"How'd you know?!"

Slowly, with her heart in her throat, Lumine put a hand on his cheek. His brush only grew redder as he gasped at her touch. She turned his face to one side, inspecting it, and turning it once more. "Do all of you look like this?"

"L-Like what?"

"Like…" freckles, though Childe's were a bit lighter, and only truly noticeable when she was close to him, "cute, I guess? Are all of you cute?"

"You think I'm cute?" He gasped again while she released his cheeks, "I thinkyou'recute too, miss Lumine! You're just my type!"

She faked a smile, "Well, you're a bit young for me, Teucer. Sorry."

"I'll get taller one day!"

"Sure," grinning, she pulled the furry hat over his eyes and stood up, "Do you need a guide back to Liyue? I'd hate to leave you out here alone."

He pushed the hat back up with a giggle, "Yeah, I need to find my big brother. He works in Liyue as a toy salesman, thebestone."

The best toy salesman, she'd not yet met him. The only non-Fatui Snezhnayan she knew in Liyue was Ivanovich, and he didn't sell anything like toys. Perhaps he was new to town and she'd left before becoming acquainted. With a shrug, she held out her hand, "Well, let's get going then."

"Oh, wait!" He dug into the messenger back slung across his chest, "My big brother said that I should give this to anyone who helps me!"

"Is that…" Paimon gasped, her eyes glittering.

Lumine mirrored her expression with a growling stomach and weak knees from travel. The bag of mora clinked satisfyingly, temptingly, hanging in the air as he held it up to her with an innocent smile. "Mora!Mora- wait, why are you giving me mora?"

He tilted his head curiously, "I told you, big brother told me to give it to whoever helps me. He said 'give this to someone and they will help Teucer'. So, that's what I'm doing."

"There has to be a lot in there," Paimon whispered as she drew closer, "Like, way more than we could make from commissions."

There was at least two weeks worth of hotel room stays in there. At least two weeks worth of good food. The bag called out to her, like a lover she had long forgotten. With a gulp, she took the sack and held it in her arms like a baby, "It's so beautiful… thank you…"

"Nowwill you date me?"

Paimon scoffed, "You're still too young, kid. AreallSnezhnayan's this persistent?"

"Are you all this affluent?" Lumine gazed down at him in wonder, "Because I know where I'm going next if so."

"Miss printsessa, what does affluent mean?"

"Nothing," she shook her head and put the mora away, now holding out a hand with a smile, "let's get going, you've got a brother to get to!"

Happily, he gripped her hand in his own and nearly dragged her across the ruins. Paimon twirled and disappeared into her pocket universe, leaving them alone while Teucer rambled and led her away, "I'm not supposed to be here, you see! I snuck onto a boat and came without telling anyone!"

She grimaced, "Your parents must be worried sick."

"Probably!"

He said it so cheerfully, as if that was the norm in his household. She allowed him to keep pulling her with his boundless energy all the way to the gates of Liyue. He never seemed to stop speaking, nor did he tire, nor did he grow hot in his heavy clothes.

"So, where do you think he is?" She asked as they passed the Millelith standing guard at the gate.

Teucer stared in wide eyed wonder at the huge bridge and shining blue sea below. He ran to the side of it, leaning over before remembering that his guide had asked a question. "Oh, sorry," he sent her an embarrassed smile, "I don't know, actually."

He didn't know. This little boy who snuck off to a foreign city without the knowledge of his parents had no idea where his brother was. Lumine sighed and leaned against the bridge rails, listening to Teucer's stories of how Snezhnaya's waters were all cold and frozen, grey and steaming with constant chill. He stared down at the Sea of Clouds as if it were a wonder of the world.

Where to take a child from Snezhnaya? Where to locate someone that might be able to help? She listened to him mutter something in his language, a phrase she'd heard Childe say when he finished fighting something especially amazing.

Perhaps if anyone were to help this Snezhnayan boy find his big brother, it would be the people at Northland Bank. She patted his head to get his attention, "I think I know where I should take you."

"You do? Thank you so much, pretty lady!"

"Come on," she placed a hand on his back to led him into the city, "I'll teach you a few new words on the way there, too."

"I love learning new words!"

"Then I promise you'll love these too!"

"Sir, I met with the skirmishers like you asked me to."

"And?"

"Miss Lumine has a message for you."

Childe's heart skipped a wonderful beat. She was communicating with him, even if it had passed through three different mouths to finally get to him. Attempting to act casual, he put his hands in his pockets and leaned back, "What is it?"

Ekaterina cleared her throat and unfolded the paper, "She says… Oh, uh…"

"Read it, I don't mind."

"Um… She hopes that you die, preferably by heart attack while on the toilet."

A thoughtful pause. Awkward silence growing between them. He'd only been back in Liyue for two weeks now, and he'd already put Ekaterina through pain and turmoil. She was frowning as ifthiswas the last straw, as if she'd be the fourth subordinate to finally quit.

He still wasn't sure why there were so many deserters right and left. He was acting perfectly normal, all he'd done was work everyone overtime and make them do push ups each time he didn't like the look on their faces. He had been under much worse when he served Pulcinella as a simple agent, he had to dofood delivery.None of these spoiled recruits would understand the pain of not getting Pulcinella's borscht to him in time.

He put his hands together in thought. The bank was empty for the evening, it being a Friday and the city of Liyue lit up in festivities and weekend enjoyment. They stood in the lobby together, as Childe leaned against the wall and stared at the decor over Ekaterina's shoulder.

"I think… I might want to send her something back… Something terrible, like a dead bird…"

"Master Childe," Ekaterina stared in horror, "I am aware that you're not asking for my opinion right now, but if I may so as a woman, I would not ever want to speak to you again if you sent me a dead bird."

"Really? Maybe a dead lizard…"

"Sir… Where do you get these ideas?"

Anthon, and his playground romance. His little brother had more experience in wooing girls than he did. "That's no good either?"

"I'm afraid not…"

"Huh," he put a hand to his chin, "well, I'll figure out something. It can't be terribly cheesy, but it has to be fun…"

Ekaterina simply wondered if her boss had lost his mind. He'd certainly been acting like it lately, ever since coming back from Snezhnaya he'd been an absolute tyrant. She'd personally tried to contact the traveler, to no avail. She knew that she would be punished for taking matters into her own hands, but if she had to spendone more dayholding buckets of sand off her arms inbetween bank customers, she was about to quit. Childe couldnotcontinue taking out his romantic frustration on his subordinates.

Ekaterina pretended to brainstorm with him over what non-cheesy but still fun gift he should send to Lumine. At least the topic of dead animals was off the table, it was like the Harbinger had never spoken to a woman romantically in his life. He most likely hadn't, it was rumored that Tartaglia spent all of his time fighting and working, rather than dating.

It was interesting to think that this man who was so very clever to have gotten appointed as a Harbinger at the age of 18, would have absolutelynoexperience in the ways of the opposite sex.

Before Ekaterina could explore the subject further, the sound of the doors bursting open caught her attention. On the weekends, there was usually some drunken local who stomped into the bank and demanded his money back, yet instead in the doorway stood a young boy, his hair auburn in the golden light of the street lanterns.

Childe froze. The boy stared, his hands on the doors and his eyes wide. He took in a deep breath as if he was about to scream, "Big brother!"

And he ran. He shot like an arrow through the air, even jumping as he got closer to the startled and rather giddy Harbinger. Childe knelt down with open arms to gather the boy up as he jumped and tackled him. Not about to be taken down by a mere child,Childestood and twirled the boy around with a sharp laugh.

"Is it…?" Fakely dramatic, Childe held him in the air above his body, "Could it be? The best little brother in the world?"

"It is I!" Teucer laughed as if he'd recited these words a million times, "Come to see the best big brother that ever existed!"

As they laughed and hugged once more, Ekaterina glanced towards the still open doors.

There stood the traveler, Mistress Lumine. She was stiff as a board, wide eyed and terrified. Slowly, as if she were about to awaken a sleeping beast, she took one step back, then another, while the fear only grew deeper in her eyes.

Childe did not notice her presence, and that was exactly the way she wanted it. Whipping around on her heel, Lumine retreated as quickly as she could down the stairs, and out of sight.

It seemed that Ekaterina's prayers for relief from her boss's romantic frustrations had been answered.

"Brother!" Teucer held him around the waist once Childe let him down, "I met the most beautiful girl! She's so amazing, she's just my type! I'll marry her one day!"

He ruffled his hair and laughed, his chest fluttering in joy despite the initial confusion of why the youngest one of his family was here in the first place. "Good for you, Teuc. What's her name?"

"Lumine!"

Like a balloon popping. Like a burst blood vessel. Like the air pulled from his lungs.

"L-Lumine…?"

"Yes! And she taught me a new word!"

Childe faked a smile. He faked a smile better than he'd ever faked before. "And what is that?"

"Dickweed! She said it means 'friend' in Mondstadt!"

Like the abyss boiling over. Like that shiver from something cold. Like that finally releasing every bit of tension in one's body after a good fight.

Teucer grinned up at him, innocent as the sun itself. "Hello, my dickweed!"

Childe patted his head. He smiled happily. He was so happy his little brother was here in Liyue,somehow.

"Let's go meet this, Lumine, shall we?"

Chapter 14: Little Brother, and The Subsequent Destruction of Sanity

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter fornotes.)

Chapter Text

"Let's go meet this Lumine, shall we?"

"Of course!" Teucer pulled back from Childe's waist to glance at the entrance in wide eyed excitement, "She was right behind me just a second ago. Where'd she go?"

The doors he had slammed open had been promptly shut. And the girl that led him to his big brother was gone. She had mentioned earlier that she would not be able to stick around the bank, but the kind Snezhnayans would help him find his brother. Yet, he'd already found his brother! Why Lumine ran away so quickly was beyond his understanding, though as he looked up at Ajax for confirmation, the look onhisface told a different story entirely.

Big brother Ajax smiled oddly. He had an odd look on his face, and tsked his tongue while he shook his head. He wore the same expression mother always did when she was about to ground Anthon.

"Hey," kneeling down to be eye to eye, he gave him a serious look, "I'm really glad you're here, and I'll ask you about the details ofhowyou got here in the first place later. But right now, I need to go catch Miss Lumine and drag her back here, okay?"

Usually, Teucer would argue with his brother having to leave so quickly upon his arrival, though if this was forLuminehe could make an exception. "Okay! I'd really like you to meet her, she's beautiful and niceandshe knows a lot of fun words, like this other one she taught me. Asshat!"

Asshat.Wonderful.Childe glanced up at Ekaterina, "Would you watch him for a minute? And please don't teach him any bad words either."

"I would never, sir!"

"Great," he squished Teucer's cheeks, "I'll be right back, I promise."

With the assurance of his swift return hanging in the air, the chase began.

Childe stood and went for the doors. Nadia opened it immediately as he brushed past, the dark look still lingering in his eyes. He chuckled to himself as he leaned over the railing to scan the crowd below for any blonde haired girls in white dresses.

Lumine was already halfway down the block, in the far distance at the end of the street. Childe grinned as he shot down the steps to the teahouse below. Customers gasped while he brushed past their tables and hoisted himself up onto the railing. With one graceful sweep of his legs, he was off the balcony and landing on his feet in the crowded Liyue street.

Teucer's appearance, as random as it was, put him in a good mood. And Lumine's subsequent retreat put him in an evenbettermood. The streets were filled with people, yet they parted for him as he shot off into a sprint.

Another flash of Lumine rounding a corner. Grinning more, Childe put his hand on the wall of the building and swung around to catch a glimpse of her retreating figure. She was fast, buthewas much faster. It did not take long for him to catch up.

"Your legs are so short, printsessa," Childe called out, "do you really think you can outrun me?"

Lumine froze. She whipped around, her stance not dissimilar to that of a startled cat. With the cutest squeak of fear possible, she took off into yet another sprint down the alleyway.

How Childelovedthe chase. He felt like a predator tracking down a scared rabbit through the woods. It was exhilarating. With another dark laugh, he took the alleyway to the right and slipped between the buildings, only to come out on the other side of the street. Lumine nearly ran into his chest as he emerged, though she was quick enough to whirl around and run in the other direction.

"Lumi," a sing song voice, a laugh, "my little brotherreallywants to see you!"

The only response he received was a squeak. She sounded like a strangled chipmunk. He dug his foot into the ground, summoning his vision to use a water current to teleport him to the spot in front of her, much like the speed used by the field agents and hunters. The buildings moved by in an instant. It was as if she blinked and he was suddenly there.

Lumine gasped, "No! You cretin, you dirty garbage man!"

"So mean," Childe leaned down to grip her hips and hoist her up over his shoulder. She screamed and kicked her legs as he laughed. The citizens of Liyue stared in wide eyed fear for the girl currently being kidnapped by a Harbinger.

"Put me down! I'll kill you!" Furious, Lumine pummelled her fists against his back, "I'll rip out your eyes and use them as jam on my morning toast!"

Childe waved at the passing crowd, "Don't mind us, she's just having a nervous breakdown. I'll take her back home where she'll be safe."

"No! Don't just stand there,helpme!"

Childe turned before she could yell any longer, hoisting her up higher and digging his shoulder into her stomach. He could not help but smile at her string of colorful insults. "You're terrible, you're incorrigible, I'll stuff your fingers up your ass!"

She huffed for air and continued to punch and bite his shoulder blades. Slipping into an alleyway, he gripped Lumine's hips and lifted her off him, finally putting her down. And of course, she tried to run away the second her feet touched the ground. He dug his fingers deeper into her hips and backed her against the wall. The sound of her gasp and the visible shiver down her spine only proved to further his ambitions. He missed that look in her eyes, the noises she made, the way she fought him with every inch of herself.

"I've missed this," his lips brushed against her ear, "I've missed you, Lumi."

She could have melted. She could have sunk to her knees and stayed there forever, dwelling on her absolute defeat. She thought that he didn'tseeher run away at the bank - that he was far too distracted with Teucer at that moment. Yet, here he was, running his mouth along her neck and bringing back every memory she had tried to forget.

Howwere they brothers? Those two: the tiny ball of sunshine and thistroll?She should have seen it coming, they looked far too alike. Just the image of Childe, of all people, lifting his brother over his head and laughing with genuine joy, was unimaginable. She had been frozen in shock the moment she saw him standing in the lobby of the bank, the moment his eyes lit up with happiness, the moment he gasped and locked his gaze onto Teucer.

Lumine had to run. There was no other option available. This wasnota spiderweb she could afford to get caught in. And if her experience with Childe had taught her anything, it was to trust in her feminine wiles - as nonexistent as they may be.

"Ajax," a whisper, a visible shiver and shaky exhale that proved to make him dig his fingers deeper into her hips. He pulled away to look her in the eyes as she ran her hands up his chest, "Ajax, I've…"

He almost looked hopeful. How pitiful.

"I've officially decided where I'd like to bury your dead body."

Lumine shot him with a burst of anemo. It would not be enough to hurt him, but to knock him far enough away so she could make her escape once more. He gasped as the wind pushed him back, and Lumine was out of his grip once more.

Yet, Childe would not stumble for long. She took off down the alley with tired, mocking laughter. As he gave chase, he noticed that she was running far slower than usual, and breathing more heavily than he'd ever seen. He slowed into a jog as Lumine stopped to lean a hand against the wall and hunch over in exhaustion.

He'd never seen her lose stamina so quickly. She could hold her own against the speed and dexterity of his delusion without breaking a sweat. As she dropped to her knees and bowed over, wrapping her arms around her stomach, Childe approached.

The alley was empty. The sound of the streets was muffled. He squatted down beside her to inspect her state, noticing that she was incredibly pale, with her eyes shut tightly. "Lumi?"

"Sorry," a shaky, bashful apology, as if she were an inconvenience, "I just haven't eaten for two days now. I'm super poor, you know. I-I feel like I might pass out…"

He'dpassed out in front of her before, and that was from bleeding too much - which was far more humiliating in his opinion. Gently, Childe leaned in to wrap his arms around her waist, snaking a hand beneath her thighs to lift her from the ground. She sighed in relief as he carried her bridal style down the alley. Her head lolled against his chest. She was, for once, allowing him to hold her without struggling like a wild animal. It would have been much nicer if she did not look as if she was about to barf in his scarf.

The bank was not far. He took the steps two at a time and approached the doors, "Go and get food, I don't care where. Just have the invoice sent to the bank."

Nadia gasped and gave a quick salute, "Y-Yes sir!"

"Lumine," frustrated, not able to help his frown as he shouldered the doors open, "if you would just let me take care of you, then you'd never have to be in this situation again."

She ignored him, "Am I in hell?" Her head lolled around to take in the sight of Fatui members watching her with gasps and wide eyes behind their masks, "Oh, I'm in hell. I knew it. I've died and gone to hell."

Teucer glued himself to Childe's side. "Brother, what's happened? Did she hit her head?" He gripped his coat as he followed him up the stairs to his office, "Is she really dead?"

"No, Teuc, she's fine. Open that door for me, won't you?"

"I'm in hell!" Lumine groaned, "It's filled with Fatui!"

Childe laughed awkwardly, "What's a Fatui? You're in my toy company's offices."

"What?"

"Right!" Teucer gripped his fists as he watched Childe gently set her on the couch, "The best toy makers in all of Teyvat, that is! You should be honored, Miss Lumine! Is that why you're about to pass out, it's all so overwhelming?"

Lumine let her arm loll off the side, brushing her fingers against the ground and turning her head to inspect the little boy. With a blank expression, her eyes flickered between Childe and Teucer. Childe and Teucer. Childe, the Harbinger, and Teucer, a ray of sunshine.

They lookedso alike.Teucer was like a mini version of Ajax.

She squinted in confusion, "You're brothers?"

They both nodded, mirroring each other.

"Why?"

Childe snorted and covered his mouth, "Why do you think? My parents breed like rabbits."

"But mama and papa are human," Teucer corrected smartly, "they just love each other very much… Brother, what does 'breed' mean?"

"I'll tell you when you're older."

Lumine gazed at him flatly, "It means fuc-"

"Lumine."

She pressed her lips together, "Fine. But why did you say this was a toy company earlier? It's-"

Another interruption, this time with Childe placing his hands over Teucer's ears like an offended mother. He furrowed his brows into a glare and led his brother to the door, "Hey Teuc, could you go check and see if Nadia's gotten the food yet?"

"Yes sir!" he saluted cheesily, "I'll be the best helper in the world!"

"Great! We'll be right here waiting!"

Teucer opened the doors and ran down the stairs, while Childe sighed as he went. Once a moment of silence fell, he twisted to look at Lumine as if she'd just spit on him. Despite her exhaustion, she could not help but laugh.

"Soooo…" he tapped his fingers together and paced the room, nose scrunched in thought - dear Archons he was almost cute, she could have barfed if she had any food in her stomach. "I'll be frank-"

"Your name's not Frank."

Childe ignored the dad joke, "Teucer doesn't know that I'm a Harbinger."

I need to find my big brother. He works in Liyue as a toy salesman, the best one.

That explained a lot. Lumine stared up at the ceiling, blinking in disbelief as she processed his words. Teucer didn't know he was a Harbinger, he didn't know that his brother killed people and collected debts. He didn't know that he was surrounded by crime and corruption.

She smiled. This was too good. Sitting up and leaning on one arm, Lumine stared Childe down with the biggest, most evil smile she could muster. He froze in place, an expression so unlike him coming to life in his eyes.

"So, you're at my mercy, correct?"

She'd never seen so much emotion pass over his facesoquickly. Anger, to confusion, to more anger, to blank acceptance and begrudging defeat. The sound of Teucer's voice carried up the stairs through the open doors, along with the smell of fresh food. Lumine's stomach growled as Childe sighed and turned away, "I'm not giving you an answer to that."

"So it's a yes, then."

He leaned out the doorway, "Is the food here yet, Teucer?"

"Yes! I'm helping Miss Nadia carry it up!"

He smiled with pride, "You're such a good boy, Teucer, let me help too."

"You're only helping so you can escape this conversation," Lumine laughed as he left. She raised her voice to be heard, "You're at my mercy, salesboy!"

Ignored, once again. She had never seen Childe like this, so domestic and smiley, acting as if he was deaf to every threat she spouted. Sitting up more, despite the aching of her stomach and the lightheadedness, she watched while he and Teucer carried the food into the office. Teucer carried more than his hands could handle, though he only smiled as he caught Lumine's eyes, as if he was proud of showing her how strong he was.

She couldn't help but laugh. She was still trying to process that the two were related in the first place, despite their obviously similar features. Teucer set the food down on the table beside her and looked up with wide eyes, "Big brother told me that you were sick, I hope this helps!"

"Thank you so much," she ruffled his hair - he'd discarded the hat long ago to reveal the wild mess of ginger underneath, even more wild than Childe's. "You're very good to me, Teucer."

He blushed pink, though his older brother was on the move in an instant. He plopped down beside Lumine and wrapped an arm around her waist, "Yep, our whole family's going to beso goodto you after we get married!"

Teucer gasped. Lumine waved her hands and ignored the gymnastics routine her heart decided to do inside her chest, "AfterTeucerand I get married, you mean!"

"You're too old for him, you dirty cougar."

"I like older women…" Teucer covered his red face with both hands, "Big brother Sacha tells me that they have more experience, though I'm not quite sure what that means."

With a sigh, Childe slipped off the couch and knelt down beside his brother. Lumine had begun eating moments ago, and was entirely focused on filling her stomach. He wrapped an arm over his brother's shoulders, "Teuc, believe me, you don't want this girl. She's violent, she stomps on things, she spits…" both boys looked up as Lumine ripped fried chicken off the bone with her teeth bared, "it's not worth it."

"So…" he put a hand to his chin, "Miss Lumine is like an llama? Her hair is matted the same way, and sheiscovered in twigs and leaves."

She did look rather wild. There were leaves jutting out from her bodice, and a small stick behind her ear. She was covered in mud, and far too pale for Childe's comfort. "Like all animals, she's still beautiful," he informed, "but that doesn't mean we should get close, she could easily bite your fingers off."

"I see… What a shame."

"I can hear you two, you know."

Childe ignored her once again - which was starting to make her angrier than she had planned to spend her evening. He gripped Teucer's shoulders and gave him a serious look, "With all of the excitement earlier you didn't get a chance to tell me how you got here. Did anybody else come with you?"

"Nope!"

"Then how'd you get here?"

Lumine ripped at another chicken wing, holding it with both hands and yanking her head back to pull the meat from the bone. Teucer sent her a blushing glance from the corner of his eye, "P-Pretty… uh," he shook his head to attention, "I-I stowed away on a boat! It looked like it was selling toys, so I thought you'd be on there. And then I took a nap and just... ended up here…"

Childe reached up to rip the empty bone from Lumine's hands before she choked herself. Ignoring her growl, he absently handed her yet another chicken drumstick before sighing and turning back to Teucer. It was like he was babysitting both of them at once.

"That's super dangerous," he wiped his hands off on a napkin with a light glare, "You could have gotten hurt, not all adults are going to protect you. Do mama and papa know?"

He put his head down, "No… I didn't tell anyone where I was going…"

Another sigh, "I'll send them a messenger hawk to let them know you're okay, then."

"P-Please don't be mad at me…"

Childe's brows knit together in worry, "I'm not mad at you, I'm just concerned-whatare you staring at?"

Lumine was gaping at him with wide eyes. Her big eyed stare burrowed into him, locking him in place as she gripped a drumstick with both hands. She looked an absolute mess, yet the glimmer in her eye spoke of gears and cogs turning in her mind.

"Sorry," she finally looked away, "that was just… cute…"

Teucer had the telltale ambition that ran in his family. Childe did not become Harbinger just by sitting around. His father did not woo his mother byaskingto fight/date her. And his mother was not the best treasure hoarder in Snezhnaya due to herpoliteness.Teucer was ambitious, fast, and quite ruthless for an eight year old.

"If you thinkhe'scute, then you should thinkI'mcute too!" He took her hand, ignoring the chicken grease and kissing her knuckles, "If I remember correctly, printsessa, you calledmecute first."

Childe cursed his slow mind. He justhadto take those few seconds to process the fact that Lumine called him cute. He was aware that he was cute, as little as he cared about his appearance, but for Lumine to finallyrealizethat, it felt like a milestone had been reached. Except for the fact that Teucer also inherited his family's theatrical, romantic streak, and was currently kissing Lumine's grease covered hand.

Poor kid was going to get his heart broken.

Childe grabbed him from behind, lifting him into the air as his little brother laughed with glee. He loved being picked up, Father didn't have the strength to do it much anymore. Childe would risk his own strength by picking up an eight year old for the sake of his sanity. He turned away and carried him towards the doors, "Hey, how about I take tomorrow off and we can spend the day together, okay!"

Teucer kicked his legs, "Okay! That sounds amazing!"

"But for now…" a clever smile, a teasing tone in his voice, "it's your bedtime. Come on, I'll let you stay with me in the hotel. And Lumi," he glanced at the starving bridge troll digging around in the food delivery basket for more to devour, "you come too."

She glanced up with wide eyes, "No way. Thanks for the food, but I really should get going!"

"Lumi no!" Teucer whined from his spot in Childe's arms, "I want you to spend the day playing with us."

"He wants you to spend the day playing with us, Lumi."

She could see the evil plots forming behind that smile. She would not be tricked, no matter how cute of a big brother he was. "Nope, I'm busy."

"Lumi!" Teucer jumped down from his arms and scrambled to her side, dropping to his knees and clasping his hands together in prayer, "Spend the day with us! Please? Please? Pleasepleasepleaseplea-"

"Quiet, mini Ajax! Your begging has no effect on my heart!"

"Pleeeaaaaseeee?"

Teucer had not yet grown into proper bartering skills, though he was quite persuasive nonetheless. Childe watched with a smile, waiting until the drawn out and whiny pleas began to break down Lumine's walls. He took the opportunity to strike with what he hoped would be the final blow, "Printsessa, I'll pay you."

She froze, "...Pay me?"

A nod, a sly smile as he leaned against the doorframe, "I can take tomorrow off, but after that I'll have to get back to work. I'll need someone to watch Teucer for me until I can find him a boat home."

As terrible as it was, it made sense. As annoying as his smile was, he was convincing. And Luminedesperatelyneeded the mora. She knew Childe wouldn't skimp on the payment either.

How could anyone love a pebble in their shoe?

She glared. She set aside her food and wiped her hands on a napkin. Teucer continued to barrage her with puppy eyes, but she successfully ignored them. "Teucer," she began slowly, "Would you mind doing me a favor?"

"Y-Yes, Miss Lumine!"

"Somewhere in this building there's a toy I left here long ago, could you go downstairs and look for it on my behalf?"

He shot up like a dart, "Of course! I'm the best toy finder in the world, I always find things around our house! Detective Teucer is on the case!"

Childe patted his head as he ran through the doorway. He was a hyperactive force of nature, the sound of his feet stomping down the staircase could be heard even as Childe shut the doors behind him.

Lumine appreciated that he caught onto her hint. They needed a moment of alone time, he knew that. With the door finally shut and locked, she stood from the couch with a sigh. Her knees were far less shaky than before, and her stomach no longer growling, though she was still on edge with nervousness. Like putting up a wall, Lumine crossed her arms and avoided his curious gaze.

Uncomfortable silence fell between them. It was stifling, filling the air like a thick smoke. She pulled the leaves from her dress and the twig from her hair in an attempt to feel better about herself for the conversation at hand.

The last three months had not been the best for her self esteem. She domesticated herself to gain the attention of someone who didn't even care to remember her own brother's name. And Childe's words from so long ago kept replaying in her mind. Pebble in his shoe. A bother, a problem that he was trying to avoid.

Finally, she met his eyes, "I didn't come to Liyue to see you, I was actually hoping that Iwouldn't."

He did not dare to show his true emotions. His face remained blank, "I believe you."

"We arenotdoing that back and forth thing we did before," she spoke slowly, coldly, "I'll help you with watching Teucer because he's a good kid, and he doesn't deserve to find out the kind of person you are. I'll do my best to keep him distracted and to help him have fun, but there isnothingbetween you and I. Forget about the stars, forget about everything we've talked about before."

How could he forget about the stars when he just spent three months staring up at them, wondering if she was doing the same?

"Safe to say that you're still angry with me?" He faked a smile, though the result came out far more bitter than he intended.

Lumine glared further, "If Teucer would not hear it, I would strangle you right now."

"I'd still love you with your hands around my neck."

He was serious. There was not even an ounce of mirth in his eyes. Lumine felt like punching him for not even bothering to listen to her. "Why do you say stuff like that?"

"You know me," Childe shrugged and walked towards his desk, leaning on the edge and stretching out his legs, "I don't like niceties or beating around the bush. If I know what I want then I just go for it, andyou'rewhat I want."

That was exactly what Huffman was not. Heaskedto hold her hand, he stuttered and avoided, he would not ever challenge her. Childe knew he wanted her, and there was never any hesitation for him to make that clear.

Lumine had to ignore the flicker coming to life in her chest. She refused to look at him, "Whatever that was that we had is over."

"Our constellations are connected," he reminded, "have you forgotten that?"

"I choose to ignore it."

He was so damn self assured, so confident as he smiled at her. It was as if shehadn'tjust told him to go screw himself. "Marry me."

"No."

"Please?"

"No!"

"Why not?" His brows furrowed together in that pouty look again, the one that made her stomach flutter.

Lumine huffed and crossed her arms, "You're not husband material."

"Excuse me?" Childe narrowed his eyes, "That's rude, I fought you at the golden house, didn't I?"

"How does that make you husband material?"

How could it not? "I summoned an ancient god for you!"

"You summoned that for the Tsaritsa!"

"I bought you fried chicken."

"... You got me there, but it still isn't enough!"

He could not believe that he had stopped down to these levels, bartering with the girl of his dreams to give him a chance. But, Childe was ambitious, determined, and unrelenting. He crossed his arms, smiling darkly at the traveler, "Fine, I won't kiss you one minute and then fight you the next, or at least I'll try my best not to, but you have to play along with Teucer this week and act like we'reat leastfriends. I'll even pay you more depending on how genuine I feel it is."

Lumine tensed at the thought of even more money. "F-Fine, I'll play along. But I expect a ton of mora after this!"

"I wouldn't let your sacrifices go unrewarded, girlie."

He was good for something, at least. This was not particularly how she imagined spending her time, though it would be nice to take a break from commissions and babysit for a while. She went for the doors of his office and opened them, raising her voice in fake enthusiasm, "Teucer! I just remembered something!"

Childe heard a gasp from downstairs. The sound of his brother's footfalls was a familiar one, he was like a bull in an antique shop. "What is it?" He appeared around the corner and latched himself to Lumine's waist.

She patted his head with a giggle, "I recalled where I left the toy now, let's go outside and get it!"

"Actually," Childe uncrossed his arms and stood up straight, "it's about his bedtime, so-"

"Teucer doesn't have a bedtime anymore," Lumine informed smartly, "Teucer's going on a tour of Liyue with me, we're going to learnlotsof new words."

Evil.Evilharpy woman with a tongue sharper than her sword. Childe could recall now why he fought with her so often.

And Teucer, of course, loved the idea. Gladly, he allowed Lumine to take his hand and lead him out of the bank, rambling with childish wonder over seeing Liyue. Defeated, Childe followed. "Just this once Teucer, you know mama would be angry with us both if I messed up your sleep schedule."

"He's no fun," Lumine whispered, "In Mondstadt we have this saying called 'a stick up the ass', it means-"

Childe intervened,"It meansthat Teucer gets to stay up super late tonight!"

"Woah!" He threw up a fist and nearly tackled him in a hug, "You're the best big brother ever!"

He laughed and patted his head, "Oh, I know."

Lumine very quickly discovered that Childe truly was the best big brother in the world. It became official the moment he took Lumine and Teucer out of the bank, up the street, and to the toy store - where he promptly demanded to buy the entire stock.

Lumine felt nauseous. She wanted to barf, she wanted to fall to her knees and bemoan the gods for letting this man come into existence. The shopkeeper tittered and gasped as Childe pulled Teucer close into a hug.

The rest of the evening was much the same.

Paimon appeared eventually and joined Teucer in eating chop suey to their heart's content. She was not at all shocked by the fact that his big brother turned out to be Childe, having already put the pieces together and realizing who he resembled. After the chop suey, was walking along the harbor and looking at the interesting boats. Lumine followed Childe and Teucer from a distance, her stomach continuing to rumble with nausea at the thought of what lie ahead for the week.

At least she was getting paid. At least she would be fed.

Around 10:30 p.m. the excitement began to dwindle as Teucer's eyes grew heavy. He was on Childe's back so he could catch a better view of the boats, though his head lolled with exhaustion. Lumine leaned against a wall while she watched Childe approach with his younger brother's leaning over him like a ragdoll.

"You've got something there," she pointed at the line of drool from Teucer's mouth. He could produce quite a bit, it seemed.

Childe sent it a disinterested glance, "I used to change his diapers, nothing he does can gross me out anymore."

Another flutter of her heart. Another tense feeling in her shoulders. Lumine looked away, "You used to change his diapers?"

"Yeah," he cocked his head as if confused as to why she would linger on that, "I practically helped raise him."

"I just… can't imagine you ever changing a diaper."

"I've changed plenty of diapers!" Childe grinned, "I know what you're thinking, you're realizing that I actuallyamhusband material-"

"Nope. You still aren't."

"Fine," he huffed and held Teucer's legs, hoisting him up further on his back as he turned, "Come on, let's get the little monster to bed."

Of coursehe would choose the most fancy hotel in all of Liyue. Ningguang herself stayed there when awaiting the construction of her new home. Lumine could only imagine Childe and Ningguang taking the same elevator and standing in awkward silence.

Hesitant, nervous, she followed from a distance once more. Teucer mumbled in his sleep while Childe carried him to his room. She froze once he pulled out a key to open the door, stepping away and putting up a hand, "Well, sweet dreams, I'll see you tomorrow."

He glanced at her, "Where're you going?"

"Uh, I was going to do what I do every night and find a soft patch of leaves in the forest to sleep on?"

"What're you, a lizard?" He stepped inside and walked to the bed, "You're staying here."

Here as in this specific room, or just the hotel? Awkward, Lumine stood in the doorway. She watched as Childe pulled back the sheets and deposited Teucer into the bed. He leaned down to unlace his boots and pull them off, then shimmy his jacket from his little arms. Half asleep, Teucer only blinked and allowed Ajax to ruffle his hair and fluff a pillow.

It was caring, like a father putting a son to bed. As Teucer laid down and Childe tucked him in, Lumine realized something.

If this kept up, she would be in trouble.

"I can't stay here," she spoke to herself. Turning on her heel and leaving as quickly as she could, the image of Childe lovingly pulling the covers up to Teucer's chin refused to leave her mind. He was soft, and kind, speaking in whispers to the exhausted little boy who trusted him with his life. "I-I have to escape, I can't let this happ-"

"Girlie."

A gloved hand on her wrist, a grip that stopped her in her tracks. Childe stared her down with a dark look.

"Where do you think you're going?"

She gasped, "How'd you get over here so fast?"

"I'm full of secrets, girlie."

"You're full of shit, that's what!"

"Sweet, as always..." he loosened his grip on her wrist and stepped back. His eyes flickered down to her waist with an unreadable expression, as if he was thinking long and hard about something she could not even begin to understand. He opened his mouth to speak, yt quickly shut it and gestured to a door, "Here's your room, if you need anything I'll be in here with Teucer."

As much as Lumine didnotwant to take generosity from the Fatui, it had been so long since she'd slept in an actual bed. The dark look on his face disappeared as he stared at the wall in frustrated thought. She knew that expression, Childe was far too engrossed in his own mind to terrorize her.

"Thank you," still feeling awkward, she stepped past him and went to the door, "I'll uh, be here. In here, this room. This one that you have gotten for me."

Could she get any worse? Could she be anymore humiliating? Childe missed his opportunity to tease her, still half glaring at the wall in thought. Lumine took his distraction as her chance to rip open the door and shut it behind her as quickly as she could.

He was acting odd. He had been normal all night, other than his terrible attempts at skirting around the whole Harbinger thing. It was that moment in the hallway when he finally zoned out that concerned Lumine. He was thinking quite hard about whatever it was that circled his mind.

She sighed and left her place against the door. The hotel room was spacious and decorated with whites, golds and reds, the bed looking luxurious and comfortable. Instantly, her legs took her to the bathroom, where she sighed in dramatic relief at the sight of indoor plumbing and a spacious bath tub. "I should get babysitting jobs more often."

It was the knock on the door that interrupted her initial excitement. Perturbed, Lumine sighed and went to answer it, "Who is it?"

"Just me."

"Who isme?" Teasing, she leaned against the doorframe and crossed her arms.

She nearly jumped at the sight of Childe's serious expression and furrowed brows. Before she could ask what he wanted, he took the first step, "My soldiers told me that you didn't go on another date with Huffman."

She froze, "Yeah, so?"

"Why?"

He was far too confusing. First, he tried to set her up with him,thenhe was sending people to ruin her date completely. Lumine's gaze flattened in annoyance, "He was boring."

"Well," Childe mirrored her position, leaning against the doorframe with crossed arms and rolling his eyes,"Iknew that. You just never seemed to mind it before."

"I told him to fight me and he did nothing."

He grimaced, "Oh…"

"And," her cheeks grew warm at the memory, "I told him I wanted him to be on equal footing and notaskto hold my hand or… You know, kiss me or anything like that. And he just didn't get it."

That was the kicker, the nail in the coffin. Once the words left her lips, she knew she regretted it. A look flashed through Childe's eyes as he leaned over her, "Oh, if nobody's got to ask, then I guess I'll just-"

Lumine slammed the door in his face.

Another flicker of annoyance came to life in his chest. He frowned at the spot she just stood, now with a door separating their bodies. Internally, he cursed his impulsive mind. He should have guessed that Lumine wouldn't want to joke that with him, of all people.

He had initially knocked on her door to say something quite important. Sighing and resting his forehead against the cool wood, he closed his eyes. "Lumine, I've just got one thing to say, and then I'll put the matter to rest."

Silence. No response, not even the sound of her breathing.

"I've missed you, that's all. These last three months have been… I don't know. I've missed you."

Lumine kept quiet until she heard his footsteps fade down the hallway.

Harden your heart, Lumi, don't let him get to you.She could not break her self control just because he said one sweet thing.

It would not be nearly enough for redemption.

Childe could only takeone dayoff, and he planned to make the most of it with his little brother. The Fatui stationed in Liyue were commanded to fix their own problems, the debts were made to wait, and the markets of the city of stone must prepare themselves for the incoming storm that was Childe's younger brother.

Lumine, fortunately, was given a break from the chaos. She awoke to a soft rapping on her door from a maid who had brought her breakfast, and a note from Childe which simply said 'relax' in his blocky script. She and Paimon took his command very seriously. And while Childe was a persistent man, he knew when to back off and give the traveler space. Sheseriouslyneeded her space right then.

Besides, she'd get her fill of Teucer the next day.

Teucer was an early riser as well, as most of his family were. Childe usually awoke early as a result from his time as a simple soldier and agent, though his mother and father were much the same. They were an active bunch, Teucer being no exception. He dragged his brother down to the street when the sun was just barely rising, and insisted upon beingvery adultthat day and try coffee for the first time.

He, of course, despised it. Yet, with him being out from mama's thumb and staying up until 10:30 the night before, he felt quite mature nevertheless.

"Brother, I think I've grown an inch."

Childe eyed him over the rim of his cup through the tendrils of steam rising into the air. Teucerdidlook a little taller, though that might just have been his wild hair. Mama always tried to brush it in the morning, something that had been forgotten when in the care of his brother. Childe didn't even brush hisownhair, he just ran his fingers through it and let it dry into whatever weird shapes it pleased.

Another tilt of his head, a narrowing of his eyes. Teucer sat up straight and sent him a toothy grin.

"Yeah, I can see that. You'll be even taller than me one day, probably."

He lit up with excitement, "Really? Oh man… Oh, wow… then will Lumine like me?"

Another calm sip of coffee as he closed his eyes, "I don't think you're her type."

"I'll be old enough one day!"

"I promise it wouldn't work out. Sorry bud."

He groaned in annoyance and rolled his eyes. It was a habit he'd never had before meeting Lumine, along with the dirty words and penchant for eating with his hands. Childe would have to train him back into a respectful little boy before he sent him home.

"Fine," he crossed his arms and huffed, "maybe brother Sasha, then?"

The thought of his womanizing older brother andLumine,of all people, nearly made him cough his drink up. Straightening his shoulder and clearing his throat, Childe attempted to erase that image out of his mind. "N-No. Nope. No way."

"Why not? I'd like to keep her around forever somehow!"

So would he, just not withSashatouching her with his dirty little fingers. Childe could already see how those family holidays would play out, he'd actually go through with his urges to break his brother's windpipe for once.

No one could touch Lumine besideshimself.And that wasn't just his own opinion, the stars in the sky agreed with him.

"What ifImarry her?" Childe attempted to sound innocent, though that was rather difficult as he avoided Teucer's eyes, "I think we'd make a good match."

"Eh, I don't see it."

He'd never heard his little brother refuse an idea soquickly.He'd be offended if it was anybody but him. "Why do you think that?" Setting his cup down, he narrowed his eyes and ruffled his hair, "You're just messing with me, aren't you?"

"No! I really don't think you'd be a good couple!" Teucer pushed his hands away with another petulant frown, "Lumine's a beautiful printsessa, she needs a white knight!"

Where did this kid get his ideas from? He'd have to have been reading Tonia's fantasy stories before visiting, it was the only explanation for his argument. "I can be heroic!"

"She needs a Mister Cyclops!"

"I don't think Mister Cyclops has a mouth to kiss her with…"

"Why would they kiss?" Teucer pulled away in disgust, "All they need to do is hold hands and look badass!"

Childe felt yet another piece of him crumble inside. "Where did you learn that word?"

"Miss Lumine."

"Right," he grimaced, "Teucer, you're still a baby, you need to watch your language."

"I'm eight! Almost nine!"

"You haven't even reached double digits yet, buddy…"

"That doesn't matter," a grimace, a pouty tone not dissimilar to a toddler's. Teucer had no idea just how immature he was for his age, and perhaps that was Childe's fault. He'd always spoiled him, keeping him from reality as best as he could. He knew that even with his interference, Teucer would still have his dreams shattered at some point. Childe had his taken away at the age of 14, and was hoping to have Teucer last a bit longer than he did.

It was precisely why he would threaten Lumine with a mouth full of soap once she awoke.

"I just think..." Teucer took another disgusted-looking sip of his coffee, resisted the urge to gag, and cleared his throat, "that while you are very cool, big brother, I would prefer you to stay single forever so you will never get distracted from the most important things in life."

"And what are those?"

"Toy selling, and me."

"Ah, I see."

"Imagine if you have kids," Teucer gasped dramatically, "then where would I be? On the streets, that's where!"

Childe raised a brow, "Well, don't worry about that, it'll be a long while until that happens. And by then you could probably buy yourself amillionMister Cyclops figures."

"But I wantyouto get them for me."

He was so spoiled, and perhaps thatalsowas Childe's fault. Yet, he couldn't bring himself to regret it. If Ajax could not be spoiled, then he would make sure that Teucer could be. It was the job of older generations to create a better world for the younger, to create happiness and dispel the darkness, even if that meant becoming the darkness himself.

That was what Lumine didn't understand. And while Childe didn't consider himself particularlygood,he had faith that the Tsaritsa's end goal was a noble one. Zhongli was correct, the age of the gods was beginning to end. He'd helped to prove that.

Also, he just really liked fighting.

He always had, and always would. The fact that Huffman did nothing when a sword was to his neck only proved further how terrible of a match he was for a woman like Lumine. She deserved a warrior, someone to challenge her, someone that could keep up with her. Childe had a feeling that he was one of the few who could.

Teucer had zoned out in fear of his future nieces and nephews for a moment. When he finally returned to Teyvat mentally, he whirled his head up to catch Childe in a wide eyed, excited stare. "What're we doing today? I hope it's fun! Can we…" he scanned the area, "climb a mountain? Fly some kites?"

"Hm… Fly a kite off a mountain?"

"Perfect! Will Lumi come along?"

Childe resisted the grimace coming to life on his lips. He glanced away, thinking of his moment of weakness last night in the hotel hallway.

I've missed you, that's all.

He wanted to tell her that he'd spent the last three months thinking of her each and every day. He wanted to tell her that he was frustrated each time he saw a white flower, because it reminded him of her. He wanted to tell her that his mother was so ecstatic to meet her, that she was already a part of his family, and she didn't even know it.

How pitiful, Tartaglia could not get what he wanted for once. He could not fight his way through this problem, he could not call upon the teachings of the Abyss and rain down destruction. He had to bepatient.

It was maddening.

"No," he ran a hand through his hair and offered a smile that did not dare to reach his eyes, "not right now. Let's just spend some time together, you and I."

Teucer would be perfectly okay with that, no matter how pretty Miss Lumine was! Family always came first, in his opinion, it was the Snezhnayan way.

Childe truly did take him up a mountain with a kite, though the custom ruin guard design he ordered was not quite done yet. Lumine seemed to want to faint all of last night each time Childe dropped money on a special order for Teucer, he wondered how she would reacttomorrowwhen he was working and they werealone.Poor thing would probably have a heart attack the second his little brother said 'filtered and pressed virgin olive oil with a smattering of balsamic vinegar please'. So far, Childe had managed to shelter her from the true extent of Teucer's pickiness.

Naturally, as the day went on with Childe succumbing to Teucer's every whim, chaos followed.

And even more naturally, Lumine was not pleased at the sight of the boy who returned to the hotel by 2 p.m. that day.

"What… happened to him…?"

Ajax was sure that he'd encountered this scenario before.

He was 12, covered in dirty sea water, shuffling into the living room with his father at his back. They both were grinning, but the smiles fell instantly as mama's eyes locked upon them. Ajax had ripped his knit scarf for what felt like the hundredth time, he smelled like seaweed, and there was something akin to greenish mud puddling on the rug.

Lumine wore the exact same expression as his mother did that day. That tilted head, that tight smile. Her eyes were blank, and her brows raised. She laced her fingers together and took one careful step towards Childe.

"You… you walk into my room… covered in mud and grime… and… blood? Is thatblood,Ajax?"

Hilichurl blood, to be exact. Knowing that silence was golden, he only smiled in response.

"Teucer," Lumine whispered as she drew to her knees in front of the boy and brushed back his mud caked hair, "what happened? Are you hurt?"

He was lit up with excitement, grinning ear to ear, "Not at all! We didn't mean to get all muddy," he sent Childe a bashful smile, "but it rained earlier this morning, and we were on a mountain flying kites, and-"

"You took him on amountain?"

Childe waved a nonchalant hand, "He's fine, he had the time of his life sliding down the mud."

"What?!"

"Miss Lumi," Teucer spoke slowly, "you're acting like my mama right now."

"H-How could I not? Goodness," she ruffled his hair and gasped, "Did Ajax not brush your hair this morning?"

"Nope!"

"D-Did he even make you take a bath?"

"Nope!"

"What have you eaten today?"

"Chocolate pancakes," he counted off on his fingers absently, "really super sweet coffee because the black stuff is gross, uh… Oh, sugar crusted jellies, really yummy cake, and Ajax gave me a taste of his fire wate-"

"You gave him liquor?!"

Childe only smiled.

"Answer me!"

He tilted his head, still smiling.

"It's not even dinner time yet,whywere you drinking?!"

"Oh, calm down," he finally waved a hand and sighed as Teucer giggled and gripped his waist, "you're like a nagging wife. It's my day off, and Teucer's away from home, so he gets to do all the stuff mama won't let him do otherwise."

Lumine glared, "Like underage drinking?"

"Yep!"

Teucer stuck out his tongue, "It was kind of gross, actually."

"You," Lumine gave him a pointed glare, "are going to take a bath right now, and you're eating vegetables for dinner."

"B-But I want more cake…"

"And you," she turned on Childe, only proving to make his smile of joy grow further, "are not going to take my little boy up a mountain again!"

She was beautiful. She was perfect and wonderful and he'd missed having her anger directed at him. He had missed that glare, that venom in her voice. He had missed the way she set him on fire internally, the way she had no idea what she was doing by challenging him.

"Your little boy?" He tilted his head and put a hand on her hip, "Lumi, are your maternal instincts kicking in?"

"W-What?! Teucer," she whirled to face him with a gasp, "go take a bath and get some clean clothes on!"

He saluted, "Yes ma'am!"

"A-And afterwards I'd like you to help clean up this mud!"

"Right!"

"And- Ajax stop grinning at me like that!"

"Likewhat?"

Like she was a choice cut of meat hanging from a market stall. Teucer ran out of the room and into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him. Lumine tensed until she heard the sound of running water loud enough to drown out the heated whispers she was planning to bombard Childe with.

She'd even been using his real name this whole time, she hardly realized it. It seemed that the mirth in his eyes only grew deeper with each use.

"Tartaglia," that was much better, much more informal and laced with poison, "You're filthy. I've never seen you so…"

It was true that he was usually quite fastidious. While he could get carried away in a fight and wouldn't hardly care what he looked like, he still had ingrained habits of keeping the area around him from growing messy. He was rather muddy, then, with blood and day old rain water mixing into a puddle at his feet. The hotel manager had gasped upon seeing his entrance.

"Well," he shrugged casually, "it's not how I'd usually spend my day, but what Teucer wants, Teucer gets."

She frowned, "He has you wrapped around his finger, you know."

Ironic. "So do you, you just show it differently."

There it was once more, his reward. The best sight in the world, a flustered and angry Lumine with red cheeks. She gasped and took a step back, "I-I do not!"

She did, though he was not about to indulge the power she had over him, lest her more conniving side kick in and she suddenly decide to misuse it. He smiled again, taking a step forward as she went back, continuing this dance of nervous glares and racing hearts. "Why don't you ever believe me when I tell you the truth?"

"Why do you think?" Her voice was a hiss, "Square up, let's go. Right here and now!"

She was perfect. She was amazing. He felt a wave of affection nearly drown him.

Teucer, unfortunately, had terrible timing. Lumine was beginning to learn that. This child was a cluster of awkward moments waiting to happen.

10 minutes later, in clean clothes and brushed hair, he walked into Lumine's hotel with a call of, "Sister Lumine, I'm cle- Uh…"

And of course, Lumine had Ajax pinned face-first to a wall. Her foot rested on the small of his back, holding him down as she twisted his arms behind him. Childe turned his head and grinned at his little brother, "Oh, hey Teuc, we're a little busy right now, sorry."

Lumine jerked his arm again before releasing him with a sigh. Teucer stepped away with his hands fiddling in front of him, his cheeks going pink, "Is this an adult thing that I won't understand until I'm older?"

"No!" She gasped, "We were just fighting!"

Childe laughed as he recovered from his pinning, rubbing the twisted skin around his wrists, "I just let Lumi win, you know, you've got to be kind to girls."

"You jerk! It doesn't matter whether I'm a girl or not!"

"You'redelicate."

"If I'm so delicate," she put her hands on her hips and glared, "then how did I pin you so easily?"

"I let you!"

"Sure you did!"

This argument continued throughout the evening. Childe took Teucer and Lumine to dinner, and managed to keep up the steady flow of excuses and retorts throughout the meal. Teucer watched the back and forth with wide eyes; Lumine and Ajax treated arguing like a sport.

By 8:30 p.m. it was promptly decided: It was a tie, they had been interrupted and could not possibly see who would win under fair circumstances. Childe promised to fight her for real once Teucer went back home - which was argued against, as Teucerneverwanted to go home.

Childe carried him back from the restaurant, and the arguing stopped for a short while. He ignored the curious glances from the citizens who knew him as a Harbinger. Lumine envied that about him, she could never ignore the judgement of others. Following him through the streets, though, she felt as if his own confidence rubbed off on her, as if she was in his personal bubble of safety and carelessness. Nothing could touch her when at his side.

He was a damn good brother. And Teucer trusted him so fully, so completely.

"Today was good," he whispered as he carried him up the stairs, "It's rare that I get to have a day off."

"You're a workaholic, huh?"

"Only by necessity."

She huffed, "I won that fight, you know."

"I know," a grin that struck her to her core, a challenging glimmer in his eyes that she so rarely got to see, "But thanks for not letting Teucer know that, I can't possibly have him thinking I could be beat by anyone."

"Not even by me?"

"Nope, though I do plan to win against you when we have the chance for a real fight."

"If that's what helps you sleep at night, you can plan on whatever you like."

He would. If he could spend the rest of his life trying to defeat her, he would finally be content.

Approaching the hotel room, he leaned down to turn the knob and step inside, "Do you want to help me tuck him in?"

Lumine stared at him with her hands behind her back, and her expression unreadable. Hesitance, and deep thought, furrowed brows that revealed nothing.

"I think you've got it covered," she looked away, "I'm just gonna go to bed."

"Alrighty... goodnight Lumi."

"Goodnight, Aja- uh, Childe."

Another tightening of the rope between them. Another tug, another long stare. It took everything he had to rip his eyes from her. Lumine had far more strength than him, stepping back and turning away to leave. His heart skipped a beat while he listened to the sound of her retreating footsteps.

Perhaps he shouldn't have told her his real name. Perhaps he would be in a far better state if she knew nothing of him. He'd failed to push her away long ago, even emotionally. They spent three months apart, yet the minute he comes back to Liyue she waltzes right back into his life. It was so natural, it was like warm blankets and cold snow, like breathing.

Teucer snuggled into the pillows and stretched his tired legs. He held the blankets close to his chest, "Brother?"

Childe pulled off his boots with a sigh, "Yes, moya radost?"

"Sing to me?"

"Of course," he brushed back his hair and smiled, "whatever you wish."

Lumine left her room for just a moment to get water, attempting to ignore the feeling that Childe had given her. There was something odd between their stares, something electric and incredibly confusing. She could hardly erase the memory.

As she walked past his room, she thought that just for half a second, she heard the sound of an out-of-tune lullaby sung in soft, familiar tones.

Through the door, she listened as Teucer snorted and laughed. The singing halted as Childe's laughter joined - a genuine sound, so different from the dark chuckles that sent shivers up her spine.

"Dammit," Lumine instantly retreated and collapsed face-first into bed, "he's totally husband material. I'm doomed."

Notes:

Next, the... ~humiliation~

Chapter 15: Lumine's Losing Battle

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter fornotes.)

Chapter Text

Lumine could not sleep.

"I hate him."

Her mind refused to shut down.

"I despise him."

She counted at least 15 sheep before giving up.

"Iloathehim."

If Paimon was there, she'd surely say something about howterriblethe Harbinger was. Her insults would, naturally, give Lumine the confidence she needed to hate him. But Paimon had disappeared long ago on the basis of'this is too domestic and Paimon has a weak stomach'.

Lumine hated that she was right - the entire ordeal truly was too domestic. She had even called Teucer herlittle boy,and had nagged Childe like an old crone.

What was she becoming? This was worse than what happened with Huffman. Lumine wasn't acting like a cute and proper lady now - she was acting like a wife.

Disgusting.

Ever since she could recall, she'd been smitten with the wrong kind of men. With each world she and Aether traveled to, someone would catch her eye; someone who had absolutely zero interest in her personally. Lumine's love life had been a series of unrequited feelings, and disappointments. But she wanted, so desperately, to be loved by someone.

Now that there was a chance someone might love her, she found herself absolutely terrified.

Just one week, just babysitting Teucer until Childe found him a boat back home. Besides, Childe's day off was over, and he would be far too busy with work to bother her from now on. She would drop Teucer off at the hotel each evening, politely refuse Childe's offer of a room, and return to her comfortable routine of camping out on a bed of leaves, and ignoring reality.

That is, if Childe would allow her to escape.

He would not.

He woke her up at 5:00 a.m. with an obnoxious knock on the door. Daring to call out in a sing-song voice, he sounded entirely too thrilled to be awake before sunrise, "Girlie, wake up! Wakey wakey, eggs and bakey!"

Lumine felt as if she hadjustfallen asleep. She had to have only gotten about 3 hours of rest. Having been so utterly preoccupied with glaring at the ceiling and thinking of ways to de-domesticate herself, sleep had evaded her.

Suffice to say, she did not respond to his wake up calls.

"Miss Lumi," Teucer now, "if you don't get out of bed on time the snow monsters will drag you out by your ankles and take you to the taiga and eat you!"

Snezhnayan culture was so beautiful, so rich, so delightful. She heard Childe laugh through the door, "Teuc, they don't have snow monsters here."

"Hm… rock monsters?"

"That works."

"Miss Lumi! If you don't get out of bed on time the rock monsters will drag you out by your ankles and take you to the mountains and eat you!"

How desperately she wished that Paimon would appear and cover her. Paimon could tell them that she was missing, she'd disappeared in the night and never came back. Raising her voice and faking an accent, Lumine called out, "Miss Lumine is not here, she is… dead. I am simply here to clean the corpse juices from the sheets."

Her accent was quite convincing, in her opinion. There was a beat of silence behind the door, seconds of awkwardness passing, until she heard the sound of a familiar low laugh, "Today, little brother, I shall teach you the ancient art of breaking and entering."

"Sounds fun!"

Dear Archons, it truly did not. "Now, the professionals use entire kits for this kind of stuff, but I prefer a more blunt method."

"So, when do you ever have to do this for toy selling?"

"How do you think we get toys to kids? You can't just hand them over, there's got to be some sort of mystery and fun involved."

Nice save. He was truly committed to the toy salesman pitch. She listened to Teucer gasp in excitement, "Show me! I wanna learn!"

Lumine could not even begin to imagine what was happening outside her door. She attempted to do her best impression of a pillow, seeming very small underneath the layers of covers and sheets. The door knob twisted and wiggled, until finally there was the sound of Childe taking a deep breath. It was promptly followed with a kick, and the sharp busting of wood and weak hinges.

"Ah, so I see the breaking part…" Teucer pushed open the splintered door, "but the entering?"

"That's the easy part, Teuc. You just enter!"

"Oh, of course!" He laughed at himself before walking into Lumine's hotel room - he never did clean up the mud on the floor from yesterday. With his hands on his hips, he peered over the furniture for any sight of the traveler. "Miss Lumine?"

"She's dead, remember?" Childe approached the Lumine-shaped lump on the bed, "Here's her corpse."

"Then why is the corpse breathing?"

He put a hand to his chin, "Good observation. I suppose we should test if she's alive or not."

Lumine was far too stubborn to get up and play their game. After spending a night growling to herself over the fact that Childesang his brother to sleep,she wasn't quite feeling on his level any longer. To tease and goof around him would never be the same after discovering her penchant for domesticity and wife-hood.

She stayed still. Teucer giggled. Her heart skipped a beat in anticipation, and it was beginning to grow warm underneath these pillows.

"Dog pile on Lumi!"

No.No,never in a million years. Before she could possibly defend herself, Childe fell backwards over her body. He splayed out on top of her spread eagle, and was thusly followed by Teucer as he jumped onto his brother's stomach.

She had never been thebottomin a dog pile. Usually she was the one calling them upon Aether, and would take her throne at the very top. Groaning, she buried her face further into the mattress, "Get your fat ass off me!"

"Aw, Lumi, you never let me get this close," Childe nudged Teucer off and sat up, releasing her from beneath his body weight, "I almost felt like we liked each other just then. You'd never let me in your bed otherwise."

To say a dirty joke in front of his kid brother, he had no shame. Knowing Teucer, though, he didn't understand the implication. Annoyed, Lumine would not waste even a minute on her revenge. She grabbed a pillow and swung it at Childe's head.

And, of course, missed entirely. Childe caught the assault and gripped the other end of the pillow. Refusing to let go, Lumine gasped, "You're a scoundrel! It's rude to barge into a lady's room without permission!"

"Who says this is alady'sroom?"

"How dare you!"

It happened so quickly, so smoothly. No amount of preparation would prevent his sly grin and the glimmer of mischief in his eyes. With one harsh yank of the pillow between them, Lumine was promptly pulled into his lap.

She nearly screamed in surprise. Teucer was still laughing at the antics - a mockery of their close proximity and how utterly deadly her glare was. The worst part of it all was how Childe wore the tiniest hint of a genuine smile. She scrambled away like a startled cat, "Teucer! Hit him!"

"Yes ma'am!" Childe could not hold away the surprise pillow to the back of his head. Despite her exhaustion, Lumine found herself laughing at the shocked look on the Harbinger's face.

Between the newly erupted pillow fight, and every blanket ending up on the floor, she giggled, "How are you two so energetic this early?"

Teucer leaned over his brother with a very threatening cushion in his hands. He froze and glanced over his shoulder, "Oh, everybody in our family gets up early. It's when the fish are biting the best."

"The fish?"

Grinning, Childe lunged to wrap his arms around Teucer's waist. He spun him in the air and tossed the pillow aside in one fell movement, successfully removing both himself and his little brother from her bed. "The fish," he confirmed as he set Teucer down, "you know, gotta beat the walruses-"

"Thewalruses?"

Teucer put his fingers to his mouth, "Yeah, they've got big teeth."

"You once told me that I kiss like one." Childe crossed his arms, "Remember?"

Shedidsay that. She just wasn't aware that Snezhnaya could produce animals other than feral gingers and super soldiers. With how she spent last night, bringing up their first kiss did not settle well on her stomach. "No. That never happened."

Itdidhappen. Neither of them could forget it. There was another spark of something akin to electricity between them once more. How ironic that the first time a man actuallywantsto be with her, and he's a Fatui Harbinger who kills people and summons ancient Gods. She narrowed her eyes as if to say'don't get your hopes up, I'm still mad at you'.

Teucer, on the other hand, was still processing the new information. He gasped suddenly, "K-Kissed? Like… you two?"

Lumine nearly jumped to attention, "No! No, we've never kissed!"

"Right," Childe dropped it with a sigh, "She's just kidding, it's an inside joke between us."

"Pretty weird inside joke… S-Stay away from my girl, Ajax!"

"Yes sir!" Childe gave him a silly salute before ruffling his hair, "Don't worry, I've got some stuff to do today, so you and Lumine can play together all you want." He sent her a glance, "I'll be around the Qingxu Pool area today if you need anything from me. And just send any expenses from today to the bank, don't worry about budgeting."

Lumine put a hand on her stomach, looking nauseous, "It's too early for this. You wake me up, you jump on me, you start talking about spending mora… I've got a very delicate constitution."

"I'll hold your hair back if you barf, Miss Lumine."

"That's very sweet, Teucer, thank you." She yawned and grabbed a spare pillow, fluffing it before laying down and curling up, "I think I might just go back to sleep, could you tuck me in?"

Not at all. Childe wouldn't even sing her an off-key lullaby. All he did was attack her with another pillow, causing Teucer to get excited and subsequently pounce onto the bed. With the sudden onslaught, Paimon awoke and appeared in a flurry of constellations. As quickly as she appeared, she found herself dodging one of Lumine's shoes, vaulted through the air and aimed for the Harbinger's head.

He barely escaped. The sight of him almost tripping over the doorhehad broken was enough to bring a smile to Lumine's face.

"W-What did Paimon come back to?" Slowly, she floated backwards, "Are you and Mister Moneybags getting a divorce or something?"

She groaned, "That's not funny, you really think I'd stoop low enough to marry him?"

"Hm… Yes, Paimon does think that."

"Well stop thinking it."

"Yeah," Teucer put his hands on his hips, "Miss Lumine is gonna marry a Mister Cyclops. They'll hold hands and fight villains!"

Right. Exactly! She ignored the mental image of holding a ruin guards hand, rolling out of bed with a sigh. As exhausted as she was, attempting to go back to sleep with Teucer jumping on her bed would not be possible. The world outside was just beginning to light up. Golden slivers of sunshine peaked through her window blinds.

"Let's get breakfast, but no chocolate pancakes."

Teucer gasped as if he'd been thoroughly offended, "You don't understand, lyubimaya, chocolate pancakes are life!"

"You need to eat something healthy- wait," Lumine froze in thought. Something unexplainable settled into her stomach at the sound of his chosen nickname. Lyubimaya, Childe had called her that before. "What does that mean?"

He looked at her oddly, "What does what mean?"

"Lyu… uh, lyubimaya, is that how you say it?"

He lit up, "Yes! It means beloved, mama calls me that when she makes chocolate pancakes."

Paimon snorted, "Teucer's really stuck on the pancakes today… Lumi?" She sent a questioning glance, "why're you all pale?"

Childe called her beloved,hisbeloved. He'd called her that the first time they ever kissed, and she'd always thought it was an insult. Lumine ignored the butterflies in her stomach and gulped down her affection. He was the first man to call her that. She was scared of what it truly meant. If that meant beloved, what other names had he been using?

She was totally going to learn Snezhnayan. She would start with the curses.

"Teucer, would you mind running to the lobby downstairs and getting me a cup of tea?"

"Sure!" He did not take note of her uneasy expression, "I'll be right back with the best tea you've ever had!"

He was a good kid, she wondered if Childe was the same way at that age. Sighing and shaking her head while Teucer left the room, Lumine attempted to clear her mind of thoughts of him.

"Are you okay?" Paimon floated closer, "You look a little sick…"

She didn't get nearly enough sleep last night. "My mind is all fuzzy. I'm trying to make a plan, but I can't think straight."

"A plan for what?"

This was why she asked Teucer to leave, it would give her a few minutes to brainstorm with Paimon. Sitting on the edge of her bed, she glared at the wall, "I don't want to fall in love."

She gasped, "Paimon thought you did?"

"I want… I want stability and companionship while I look for Aether." She explained, "I guess I picked Huffman because I always had a feeling it wouldn't happen in the end. It was safe. I've always done what's safe…"

"So, what's the problem now?"

Childe was a good brother. He was strong. He was thrilling to be around. He still liked her even when she did something impulsive and stupid. He laughed at her jokes, and teased her in return. He was a challenge, and a comfort, all at once.

"I want to make Childe uninterested in me. I want him to realize that we'd be a terrible couple. How would I go about doing that?"

Paimon was on the job in instant. She crossed her arms in thought, "Abandon the little brother in a hilichurl camp?"

"I can't do that! Iwouldn'tdo that, jeez!"

"Fine," she huffed, "steal all of his mora and try to kill him?"

"He'd like that."

"You're right… Become super docile and stop fighting?"

She sighed, "Thatwouldwork, but I already did that for Huffman and it drove me crazy."

"Okay, then… uh, try to dominate him?"

"He'd like that too."

Paimon clenched her fists and groaned, "Paimon doesn't know! Just be yourself, nobody likes you when you're adventuring and being feral! Just show him how wild Lumi can truly be!"

That was a good idea. That was something she could do, drop every wall and be her instinctually annoying self. Aether was usually the only one who saw her true nature. Would Childe still like her when she treasure hunted and spent hours fighting in ruins? Would he still think she was beautiful when she tested her skills by taking out hilichurl camps with only a sharp stick? Would he still want her when she blew up barrels of explosives for fun?

There was no possible way that he could. Every man she'd ever shown her true self to had run for the hills.

It was fool-proof.

"Alright," Lumine clasped her hands together, "That's what I'll do. I'll be the most funnest, most coolest babysitter in the world, while simultaneously showing Childe that I am definitely not wife material."

Paimon pursed her lips and looked at her as if she was insane, "Paimon's tasted your cooking, she definitely thinks you're wife material."

"My cooking doesn't matter! It's my wild abandon for the laws of society that will show him."

"Paimon knows that she said nobody likes you when you're being yourself… but Paimon was just frustrated! It's actually kind of cute!"

"It's not cute!" Lumine clenched her fists, "It's terrifying, men fear me and my powers!"

"...Okay Fischl…"

"It's not cute," another glare and an annoyed huff, "he'll realize in the next few days that he could never settle down with me or take me to meet his parents. I'll make sure he knows just how un-wifeable I truly am."

"Okay… if you say so…"

Shedidsay so, and she fully intended to carry through with it.

That is, until she noticed that Teucer had been gone for a suspiciously long time.

"Oh yeah," the hotel doorman sniffed arrogantly, as if he was far above these shenanigans, "the little boy left a while ago."

Lumine was an absolute wreck, and Paimon was panicking. She hadn't even gotten her tea, having found the kettle in the guest kitchen area half heated and abandoned. Teucer was not in his room, not in the restroom, and not even in the building.

"Where did he go? Did he say?"

The doorman turned up a nose at her flagrant begging, "He asked for directions to Qingxu Pool, said something about missing his brother."

"Oh…" Paimon whispered before jerking up and zipping around Lumine's head, "he'll see Childe doing Harbinger stuff!"

Childe had Lumine watch himspecificallyfor the reason that Teucer couldnotsee him doing Harbinger stuff. "We've got to find him!"

"But wait," Paimon gripped at her hair, "wouldn't your plan work out if you just let that happen? Teucer wouldn't get hurt, but… Paimon is sure loser Harbinger would be mad enough with you to not want to marry you."

It was interesting to think that making Childe mad at her would only require going back on her babysitting duties. He had released an ancient God, yet she still put up with him - only for mora, of course, after Teucer left she planned to return to ignoring his existence. Paimon was right, letting the little brother run free and catch him in the act of villainy would most definitely be enough to make Childe mad at her.

"But how could I do that to Teucer? He's just a little kid, he doesn't deserve to find out that his idol is… you know…"

"Well," her gaze flattened, "that's more the loser Harbinger's fault than yours."

"True, but he's just so young and so…" How to describe the little boy who thought dickweed meant friend in Mondstadt, "He's sohappy.He deserves to feel safe around his big brother right now, he's just a kid."

Paimon considered it with her hands on her hips, "Agreed, but what about making Childe dislike you?"

"I'll… I'll figure it out. Come on," she started down the street, "let's catch up to Teucer before he sees his big brother doing something illegal."

Paimon flew alongside her, "Did he even tell you what he was doing today?"

"Nope, just that he was working. Before all that stuff at the Golden House happened, I recall seeing some of his work…" When she would sit on his desk and rifle through his papers, when she would be the main distraction for his laziness, when he would slack off on the excuse of taking her to lunch - odd to think that they were friends once.

Butwerethey friends? Friends didn't kiss each other when they were angry, friends didn't feel a constant electricity and tension between them. She wouldn't sit onJean'sdesk and pine for attention the way she did with Childe. It felt as if they'd never truly beenjustfriends.

She shook the thought away with a glare, "He's probably just debt collecting or overseeing some diabolical villain experiments. I doubt he's fighting anything right now."

"Oh…" Paimon slowed, "Qingxu Pool, right?"

"Right!"

"You're going the wrong way."

"No, this is most definitely the way to Qingxu Pool."

"It's really not…"

"My directional skills have gotten much better, thank you!"

"Lumi, if you keep walking in that direction you'll end up in Inazuma!"

"...Oh. Anyway," she turned on her heel and followed Paimon, "let's go find Teucer."

There was something about these treasure hoarders Childe just could not get enough of. Perhaps it was how they bumbled about like toddlers. That was quite funny.

He sat on a cliff overlooking their camp. The breeze that rustled his hair was slightly reminiscent of Snezhnaya, though far less bitter. He closed his eyes and took in the scent of wet moss and fresh grass. This was quite a nice spot, he might have to take Lumine on a picnic there at some point.

Below, the targets meandered about aimlessly. 600,000 mora just to stand around and drink beer, what a waste. The loan had been agreed upon with the basis that the treasure hunters would findtreasureto repay them with. They were using the Tsaritsa's money to treat themselves instead.

Each Fatui Harbinger oversaw a specific service to the Tsaritsa. Her Majesty was kind enough to take the personalities of each Harbinger into consideration before assigning certain tasks and jobs. Dottore did the experiments - he lent a hand with the sigils of permission - due to his rather obsessive nature and intellect. Scaramouche worked on assassinations and hunting down targets, though he'd been thwarted as of late by an utterly random hydro mage with pigtails.

And Childe liked to cause destruction. Simple as that. What better job to give him than overseeing the agents and hunters? He had worked as an agent himself once. The Tsaritsa was aware that this job came with quite a few confrontations -nobodyliked debt collectors. It was perfect for the 11th. It kept him busy, entertained.

Usually, Childe would give these small jobs to the agents, but he'd lost a bet last week - there were drunken men brawling in the streets, he and a recruit gambled upon who would win - and was a man of his word. He would do the job personally, despite how improper Ekaterina and the others thought it was. On occasion, even a Harbinger enjoyed stooping down to do the dirty work.

The treasure hoarders had yet to notice him. He crouched on the edge of the cliff, his hands between his thighs while he watched their shenanigans. The leader's voice lifted into the air while an argument continued. Things were clearly getting heated between them.

"Time to go to work," he sighed. Hopefully this would be over soon, and he could return to Teucer and Lumine without much trouble.

One thing he appreciated greatly about traveling were the exposures to new culture. Mondstadt was an overly emotional city of alcoholics, but they had one thing right. They had gliding, and headoredgliding.

Especially when he put away his gliders and dropped down in the middle of a battle. It was exhilarating. He could not battle these treasures hoarder quite yet, though hedidenjoy leaping off the cliff and landing on his feet in front of their camp.

They froze in shock. Childe straightened up, dusting the grass off his hands. "Hey, so let's get this over with."

Teucer was probably giving Lumine a heart attack by now with his spending habits. He had to get back to her and take over the babysitting before she collapsed with grief. Crossing his arms over his chest, he watched the treasure hoarders scramble up to grab their weapons.

The leader was mildly drunk, he smelled of smoke and sweat. Holding his crossbow, he sauntered through his subordinates to face the intruder. He glared as if he was constipated, "What the hell do you want? This is hoarder territory."

"I'm aware," he snorted, "that's why I'm here. Are you the boss?"

"For now, yeah. What of it?"

"You know what I'm here, for I trust?"

"Oh, you think you're so cool because you got a vision, eh?" the leader spat and snorted. The men behind him laughed awkwardly before he went on, "Not just anyone can join the treasure hunters, kid! Plus you're too…pretty."

He thought he was here to join their ragtag group of idiots? Ignoring the 'pretty' remark, Childe sighed and rolled his eyes, "That's hilarious, really. You're quite imaginative. I guess I should forgive you, though, I am far more merciful than her Majesty the Tsaritsa. You've borrowed money." His expression darkened, his eyes narrowing. It almost reminded him of his days as an agent, before he became Harbinger - customer service wasnotfun. "You will be repaying it today."

"Oh yeah, and why is that, kid?"

Childe liked this part, as impatient as he was. Usually, he would spend a bit more time playing with his food, like a cat with a mouse. "Do you not realize who you're speaking to?" he spread his arms out, "I'm a Fatui Har-"

"Brother!"

Dear Archons, no.

"I-I'm a-"

"Big brother? Can you hear me?"

Dear Lords in Celestia, no. Dear nature deities,no.No.No.He froze, a shot of ice crawling up his spine as if the Tsaritsa had touched his bare skin. The treasure hoarders all furrowed their brows and glanced around the area for any sign of a young boy calling out for his brother.

Childe knew that voice, he'd recognize it in his deepest dreams. And he'd never found it so terrifying. Stiff, with his heart racing, he turned towards the sound.

And there was Teucer, in all his glory, running down the road. He was moving as quickly as his little legs would take him.

"Gods…" Childe cleared his throat and turned back to the hoarders, "600,000 mora, now. Hand it over before he gets closer."

"Big brother, I see you up there! Hold on, I'm coming!"

"We're not givin' you shit! Who'd you say you were again?"

"I-I am…" Teucer was moving as quickly as his little legs would take him, drawing closer with each passing second. Where was Lumine? "the greatest toy salesman in Snezhnaya! The toys that we produced are going to run you about 600,000 mora. That's to be paid in full.Now."

The treasure hoarders had the audacity to laugh in his face. The smell of beer seemed to be more pungent as they chortled. The leader gave him a toothy grin, "You're here to get mora from us? We don't have it, rob someone else!"

"It's not a robbery, you bought these toys," he was nearly growling.

Teucer stopped at his side and jumped, "Tell 'em, big brother! They've gotta pay for those!"

"Toys?" The leader snorted, "Are you insane? Is 600,000 how much it's gonna take to fix that head of yours?"

"Just hand it over." Childe truly did not want to say please. To reiterate, customer service was a nightmare, and he didnotmiss his days as an agent.

"Or what?"

A challenge, one he could not quite meet with Teucer at his side. Childe frowned in thought, "Or…"

As if on cue, Luminefinallyappeared at the bottom of the hill. She was breathing heavily, her hair ruffled and wild, her dress wrinkled. She did not give herself time to recover before sprinting up after Teucer. All eyes shifted to the approaching girl. The only time Childe had seen her move so quickly was during their battle at the Golden House. In an instant, she was grabbing Teucer by the waist and lifting him over her head. "I caught you! I win!"

"We're not playing tag!" he kicked his legs wildly, "I want to watch my brother work!"

She looked exhausted, as if she'd run all the way from Liyue, "Let's leave him alone, he's super duper busy!"

"I-I just want to see him!"

She was carrying him like a very delicate dessert tray, "But he'ssobusy, Teuc!"

"Let me watch him!"

"No way in hell!"

A beat of silence. The sound of the giggling of the treasure hunters and Lumine's retreating footsteps. Faintly, Childe heard him ask, "Where is hell?" Lumine only groaned in response.

The leader of the hoarders finally looked back to Childe with furrowed brows, "Are they yours?"

"Yeah," he crossed his arms and glared, "it's national bring your wife and brother to work day, didn't you hear?"

A beat of silence, "Man… I haven't seen my wife in ages… H-Hey," he glanced at the man behind him, "why didn't you bring Christine?"

"We've, uh… had a falling out, boss…"

"You need to treat her better, I've always told you that."

"I know… it's just with the new house and the kids-"

"Listen," Childe put up a hand to interrupt, "600,000 mora, three months prior, paid in full. Hand it over before things get ugly."

"Before things get ugly? Who do you think you are? The Fatui?"

"Actually, ye-"

"We aren't giving you squat!"

They were beginning to annoy him, and Lumine was barely holding Teucer back. When he became energetic, he was difficult to handle - legend says that Childe was the exact same at his age. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Teucer wiggle out of her arms and make a run for it. Like an arrow shot from a bow, he was heading towards Childe's certain doom.

Wonderful. "Hand it over,now!"

"No! Screw you!"

"Screw?" Teucer slowed in his approach, his eyes wide and his chest heaving with having escaped Lumine's grasp, "Are you selling screws for toys?"

Not in the least. Bless his childish ignorance. Lumine was on him in an instance. She wrapped a hand around his mouth and picked him up once more. Childe and the treasure hoarders watched as she basically dragged the eight year old down the hill.

"What the hell is going on?" The leader spat, "Is this some kind of diversion?'

"B-Brother! I'm being kidnapped!"

Teucer, dear sweet Teucer. Lumine was trying her best, but he was far too small and wiry to stay in her arms. Childe gave up as Teucer was on the move once again. He sighed in defeat and forced a wide smile.

He had a feeling this would happen. His inner instincts told him that he'd need to prepare a lie just in case he stumbled upon this situation. Smiling and tilting his head, he spoke in the fakest tone he could muster, "I'm just selling you toys! Toys, from Snezhnaya." Emphasis on the country of origin, hopefully these men were not stupid enough to miss the implication, "600,000 mora, paid in full.Now."

Defeated, Lumine trudged up the hill.. She offered a hand, "Please, Teuc, I'll let you get chocolate pancakes if you just leave."

"It's fine," Childe's voice contained a hard edge that made her jump, though he did not tear his eyes away from his enemy, "I've got this covered. I'm just selling these guys toys, after all."

Teucer was entirely convinced. He jumped and raised a fist, "You're the coolest ever! See, Miss Lumine? I just wanted to watch my brother do his work. It's no big deal!"

It was a huge deal. It was one of the worst lies he'd ever told. The leader spat and glared, "You're crazy, you're just some pretty boy that's trying to mess with us. I bet it's not even bring your wife and brother to work day, you're-"

"Toys from Snezhnaya, 600,000."

He stepped back in shock. Childe was glaring him down, pummeling him into dirt with the look in his eyes. Tension filled the air, heavy and suffocating, a premonition of the battle at hand.

"You're…" the leader processed his thoughts for a moment, "you're here on that loan from the boss, aren't you?"

He was.Finally,these idiots understood. Childe shifted his eyes to meet Lumine's, a silent understanding passing between the two. She bit her lip and nodded. She knew what was about to happen, the look in Childe's eyes was perfectly clear.

"Teucer!" She whipped around to point at a mountain in the distance, "Look! It's a Mister Cyclops! Let's go talk to him!"

There was not, but Teucer didn't question it. He whirled around and clenched his fists, "Really? Let's go before he gets away!"

One benefit of Teucer's hyperactivity was his easily distracted attention. He was down the hill and to the road below in an instant. Lumine attempted to jog behind, pointing at nothing and yelling, "He's walking right over there! Let's go talk to him!"

Relief flooded him like a broken dam. With Teucer's back turned and Lumine successfully distracting him, he could focus on the job at hand. The glare returned at full force, "I'm tired of warning you clowns. You took money from the Tsaritsa, and now you need to pay it back. Simple as that."

"Yeah, but…" he pointed at Lumine leading Teucer away, "what's with the family fun hour?"

"I told you, it's national bring your wife and brother to work day."

The idiot believed him once again. "She's your wife? She's kinda pretty… I'll pay back the loan, then."

"Great, jus-"

"On one condition."

He scoffed, "You really think you're in the position to set conditions here?"

"Come on," a smirk, "I'll pay you backifyou let me have your cute little wife for a night."

The subsequent chorus of squeezy laughter was muffled against the drumming in his ears. This man was far too confident, far too arrogant and presumptuous. Childe tensed, his fingers digging into his hands and his glare deepening. He took a shaky breath, though he could not calm the heat running through his veins, no matter how much he tried.

There were very few times he had wanted to kill somethingso badly.

"Printsessa," Childe called out loud enough for Lumine to hear in the distance. Teucer did not notice the hard edge to his tone, though Lumine visibly tensed, "Take Teucer back to the bank, I've got a gift waiting for him there."

There wasn't a gift in the least, which would be an extreme disappointment. Yet, he knew his brother, and he was swayed by shiny things - much like a raccoon. Teucer jumped with excitement, "Let's go, Miss Lumi! Hurry up!"

It was time to go before something bad happened.

She stuttered out an agreement and attempted to keep up with him once more. He dragged her along the road by the hand. It was the moment when their figures rounded the corner and disappeared from sight, that Childe finally could breathe again.

"Didn't want them to see me ripping out your throats," he explained with a shrug, "you know how it is, I'm sure. Anyway, what were we talking about? Having her for a night, or something? Repeat that for me, I didn't quite hear you the first time."

"I…" the leader's eyes flickered to the suddenly summoned hydro blade in Childe's hand, "I, uh… have a t-terrible sense of humor."

He took one step forward, "You can't really take something like that back, can you? What's said is said."

"I-I didn't mean it!"

"Make no mistake," he gripped his blade and smiled, "I'm going to slaughter you for that. I would just really like it if you told me where you kept your mora first. I can't go back to the Tsaritsa empty handed."

"N-Never!"

They were readying to fight, armed with shovels and cheesy crossbows. It was mildly insulting that they thought they had a chance against him. He sighed again, ignoring the angry beating of his heart in his ears and the swirling frustration in his chest. To imagine another man everthinkingof Lumine, let alone touching her, he couldn't handle it without wanting to rip something apart.

"Fine," another smile, a twist of his blade and a tilt of his head, "I'll find it myself."

There was something exhilarating about this fight. It was different. It was exciting, adrenaline pumping, and far more satisfying than usual. These treasure hoarders didn't give him any trouble at all, yet he found himself laughing in joy as each one of them fell and teleported away in retreat.

He hadn't had a fight this good sinceLumine.They were nothing compared to her tricks and speed, but the satisfaction was similar. As he cut down yet another hoarder, Childe could only wonderwhy.What madethisinstance different from the usual droll battles?

"I-I won't touch your girl, I promise!"

Childe kicked him in the ribcage with a grin, "What was that? I didn't hear you!"

"I'll give you the mora!"

"Nooo," he drew out the word and leaned down to get a closer look at the fear in his eyes, "tell me you're sorry for eventhinkingof her like that. Tell me how much you regret having a filthy mind towards what's not yours."

He was stuttering and gasping for air. His teeth were painted with blood and spit, "I-I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"

"Great," Childe put a blade to his neck, "now, where's the mora?"

"In the tent! I-I don't know if it's all of it, b-but that's all we have! I'm so sorry!"

Heshouldbe sorry, though Childe felt himself mildly grateful towards the man. It had been a long while since he'd had a fight that gave him so much satisfaction. The only thing that had triggered his bloodlust was the implication that this troll wanted Lumine.

"I think," Childe spoke thoughtfully as he pressed the blade to his neck, "that I just discovered something. Would you like to hear it before you die?"

"No!"

Ignored. "I think Ilikefighting for someone other than myself. I think it's even more exciting to fight for Lumine's sake than it is to fight for work. I wonder what that means…"

"T-That you're in love?"

"Yes, I knowthat,but what does that mean for the future?"

"Uh," he was shaking underneath his blade now, "t-that y-you'd spare my l-life to make her happy?"

"Hm… no…"

"T-That you'd r-rather be with her t-than work for the Fatui?"

He furrowed his brows, "I'm not sure aboutthateither. You're really bad at giving advice, you know."

"W-Wait!" He gasped and squeezed his eyes shut, "L-Let me try again! Y-Your wife is your entire l-life, and you f-find more satisfaction in fighting for her than for y-yourself!"

He sighed, "You're basically repeating what I said earlier."

"I'm so sorry!"

This went on for another five minutes. Childe was simply playing with the man by the time he passed out from fear.

It was around lunch time when he was satisfied enough to return to the Northland bank. He hoped that Teucer was not angry with him for the lack of promised toys, but he would say anything to turn his gaze elsewhere fromthat.

Tired, Childe had half a mind to ignore the subordinate attempting to catch his eye at the doorway.

"M-Master Childe, uh," he was still walking away, "really, this is important."

They thought everything was important. A dog could poop on their sidewalk and they'd go to him for instruction on how to deal with it. The bank was relatively empty by this time of day, the lobby quiet and pleasant. He sighed and turned to face the recruit, "What is it?"

He flinched at the tone of his voice. He had to know that Lumine and Teucer were in his office, waiting for him. "S-Sorry, I apologize, really, I know you have guests, sir, b-but there's a new batch of recruits from the Motherland that are awaiting your command."

Childe forgot that there were newbies coming into Liyue. He had it written down somewhere, but the event had escaped his mind with the distraction of his little brother. "Can't they get on by themselves? They're adults."

"They really want your guidance…"

"That is a want, not a need."

"Sir… I-I don't mean to correct you, but the Tsaritsa says-"

The Tsaritsa says, very specifically, 'every new batch of recruits must be baptized by the Tsaritsa's will through the words of her Harbingers.' It was an ancient rule of the Fatui. Apparently, it built an 'encouraging and fun environment'. Nothing about the Fatui was encouraging, though it was quite fun at times. Childe was usually on top of his duties far better than now.

"I'll get to them later," he interrupted with a sharp sigh, "Let me just check on the traveler and my brother. Have they been… behaving?"

"Ekaterina managed to stop Mistress Lumine from looking at our confidential files again."

"Great," Ekaterina was one of the few competent ones, "and Teucer?"

"He's upstairs, sir."

Wonderful. "Tell the recruits I'll be there soon."

The situation was contained for now. He could not imagine another instance of faking the toy seller persona, he was absolutely terrible at lying. Relieved, Childe went up the stairs and to his office "Teucer! I'm back!"

"Ah yes, another appointment!" He pushed the doors open at the sound of his brother's voice. Teucer was sitting behind in his chair and leaning back, his feet propped up on the table, "Come in, come in, I've been expecting you!"

At least he was entertained. Judging by his grin, he figured that he was in a good mood. Lumine sat in her old spot to his right, her legs crossed and her back to the door. It had been a little over three months since he'd seen her sitting there. Childe's heart skipped an annoying beat. He smiled and bowed, all of his frustration melting away with the sight of the two most important people in the world. "Boss, I've got the accounts you wanted for that huge toy sale."

"Ah yes," Teucer dramatically stroked his nonexistent mustache, "Secretary, would you take notes on this? It's very important to the livelihood of our business practicionals."

She giggled, "Yes sir!"

She never calledChildesir. He sighed and watched Lumine from his spot in the doorway - she was right where she was supposed to be, right where he had imagined her so often the last several months. She fit back into his life like a missing puzzle piece - even if she was terrible at babysitting.

"So, now that you're done with work, we can go to lunch, right?" Teucer slipped out of the chair and bounced on the heels of his feet, "I've been waiting forever!"

Might as well rip off the bandaid before it grew any tighter, "I've got to get back to work, there are some new… sales people that I need to speak to."

"I want to be a toy seller when I grow up too!" Nothing about that excuse dimmed Teucer's fire, "Can I go listen? I'll stay quiet, and I'll be really polite a-and I'll learn lots of stuff!"

Not in a thousand years. "I'm afraid not, Teuc, it'll be super boring, and you're still too young to really understand what's being said."

"I can understand it!"

Lumine slipped off the desk and ruffled his hair, "Hey, how about we go drop eggs off a high balcony? That'll be fun."

"T-Thatwouldbe fun… but I want to hang out with my brother!" His glare was turned onto him immediately, "Why do you have to work?"

It was not as if they'd never spoken about this. Childe had spent the last three months having this conversation with his family. Despite being at home, he was still in the Morepesok offices of the Fatui for half the day. Teucer had begun to grow frustrated with childish misunderstanding about how adults truly lived their lives - and perhaps, like everything else, that was Childe's fault. Mama and Papa were basically retired, Teucer didn't seem to comprehend that most people worked for a living.

He watched Lumine brush back his hair and kiss his head. She would be a good mother, her eyes were kind and her hands were soft. She knelt down to hug Teucer and comfort him as he glared. Childe would have to be honest with him at some point, and half truths were the best way to start. "You know if I don't do my work, then we can't afford medicine for father's headaches, right?"

Teucer stiffened. Lumine smiled at him. Grumbling, he looked away, "Right…"

"And,we wouldn't be able to afford sending you and the others to school. Mama would have to start working again, but with her arthritis it would be hard…"

"I-I know…"

Lumine's smile had disappeared, and she was staring at him oddly. He met her gaze for a moment before she ripped it away, "I didn't know you provided for your family," she spoke as she ran her fingers through Teucer's hair, "do your parents have to work at all?"

"Nope, not at all." He felt a flicker of pride at that. It was the most he could do after putting his parents through hell since he'd turned 14. "I bought them a bigger house, and I send money every month so they never have to worry about anything."

"You… really do that?"

She couldn't possibly be in that much disbelief. "Yes, I really do. Why do you ask, printsessa, are you interested in joining my family?"

Now, Lumine was mirroring Teucer in her glare. She looked far more frustrated, far more pouty, somehow. Huffing, she crossed her arms and brushed past him through the doorway, "I'm going outside for some air. I need to get away from howannoyingyou are."

What wasthatabout? He had teased her in the same way he always did. Teucer, even, seemed confused at her sudden departure. Childe sighed and opened his arms for a hug, "Come on, I'll be back later this evening."

Teucer crashed into him like wild boar in the forest. He squeezed him harder than ever before, burying his face into his shoulder and taking in the scent. "You promise?"

"I promise," he laughed, "why don't you go drop eggs off a balcony with Miss Lumi?"

"Okay…" he was mumbling bashfully while Childe led him down the stairs and to the front doors, "that sounds fun…"

Itdidsound fun. The teenage boy inside of him desperately wished to join them. He would have skipped work entirely if Lumine was not glaring at him from the entrance with eyes that could kill.

He only smiled in return. Lumine's glare deepened,somehow.She was mad at him for something, though he couldn't quite pinpoint the reason.

"Alright," Childe handed his little brother off to the angry harpy with the furrowed brows, "I'll be back, we'll go to Liuli Pavilion tonight, okay?"

Lumine did not even perk up at the restaurant name. Usually, she would be squealing with joy, shelovedwhen he took her to Liuli Pavilion.

Concern ate at his chest like some kind of organ-eating roach. He was sure he was infected with something terrible, some sort of disease native to Liyue that made his heart flip and flop. It was not dissimilar to a dying fish.

Lumine refused to speak to him. Teucer wrapped his arms around her waist and laid his head on her stomach. Childe gave another affectionate ruffle to his hair before opening the doors, "I'll be back soon, okay? Just wait for me here."

Both Teucer and Lumine stuck their tongues out at the same time. He couldn't help the bubble of laughter forcing its way up his throat. Snickering, he leaned down to kiss Teucer's head in the same way mama always did. Before Lumine could protest, he straightened up and leaned towards her. Tucking a lock of long hair behind her ear, Childe pressed his lips against her forehead.

She was going to kill him for this. He knew that. Ajax couldn't bring himself to regret it.

"Wait for me, okay?"

He felt her silent glare on his back as he left, entirely too satisfied with himself.

"I hate him."

"Miss Lumi, mama says that the Tsaritsa hates liars, and if you ever lie then she'll freeze your insides and turn you into an ice sculpture in her garden."

"...Does your mother really say that?"

"Yes!"

Fortunately for Lumine, she would never have to meet his mother. No matter how shaky Childe's kiss to her forehead made her knees feel, she wouldneverfind herself in such a precarious situation as to be introduced to his rather cryptic sounding mother. This matter would not go so far. He could be husband material - heishusband material - butshewas not wife material. And he would discover that soon enough.

"I'm not lying, Teucer, I really do hate him."

He grinned up at her, "Then why are you blushing? Sister Tonia says that when a girl likes a boy, she blushes red. You're, like, super red."

Shewasquite warm. "I have a fever, I'm dying from a mysterious disease that makes me turn red. Sorry to break it to you this way."

"Oh, shush," he pulled away from her waist and sighed heavily, a sigh far past his age, "I'm not a dummy, I know you two like each other. I've watched mama and papa stare at each other like that all their lives, I can recognize it in an instance!"

Whatstaredid he mean, exactly? The glare she wore, or the dull eyes and the fake smiles on his face? Lumine, simply, had no idea what he was implying. "You're mistaken, I'm making that face because I'm constipated."

"You like my big brother!"

"Quiet!" She put her hands over his mouth and pulled him out of the bank, attempting to avoid the prying eyes of the Fatui, "Are youtryingto let the whole city know?"

"So youdolike him?"

"No! Never in a million years!"

"Your face is so red!"

"I ate a hot chili and I'm dying, that's why!"

"You love him!"

"I hate him!"

"You adore him!"

"I despise him!"

"You want to marry him!"

"Iloathehim!"

"Let's go, Miss Lumi," Teucer gripped her hands and stared up at her, an oddly serious look on his face, "let's follow him. Screw what he told us!"

"D-Don't say screw like that!"

"Let's follow him," Teucer burrowed even further with the look in his eyes, the blue in them shining, and his smile far too mischievous for an eight year old, "we can listen to him talk to new salespeople, and you two can go on a date afterwards! I can chaperone, andthenI'll help him propose!"

She gasped, "I thoughtyouwanted to marry me?"

"I will make this sacrifice for my brother… I will give you up," he squeezed her hands and grinned, "for the sake of his happiness."

"He…" her heart skipped a beat at the thought, "he doesn't need help with that, Teucer… it's not a little brother's job to do that kind of stuff."

With hesitation in his eyes, Teucer looked away, staring at the floor as if it was far more interesting than her. He almost seemed embarrassed, "Mama and papa have always been worried about Ajax. I'm not quite old enough to remember, but he had a real tough time when he was a kid…" he put his hands behind his back and frowned, "Mama always says how worried she is about him. But ever since he told her about you, she's looked so happy. I don't really know what that means, but… I know that big brother kissed your head, and papa does that to mama all the time!"

He kissed her in the way he'd seen his parents do all of his life. He treated her like his father treated his mother.

This couldn't be happening.

Lumine sunk to her knees to be eye to eye with him. She smiled and squeezed his shoulders, "I don't know what the future will bring, my dear, but I do know that… that your brother and I look at the same stars at night, and there's something really cool about that, right?"

"Right… right…" his voice dropped to a whisper, "but you know what wouldwaybe cooler?"

"What?"

They were all whispers now, foreheads pressed against each other and hands squeezing in sibling-like affection. Teucer was giggling under his breath in a way reminiscent of Childe, though far less dark. Lumine wondered if he truly was a mini version of Ajax, mischievous glimmers and snickers, freckles and wild auburn hair.

Was this what her children would look like?

"Let's go see my big brother talk to the new people," Teucer laughed, "he might be mad at us, but it won't be a big deal."

Shehopedthat he would be mad at her. She hoped that he'd be so angry that he'd never want to speak to her again. She hoped she never thought of ginger haired children with freckles and ocean blue eyes ever again.

Lumine smiled, "If that's what you really want, then we can go."

"That is what I really want!" He paused, "...You're not backing out, are you?"

"I just… Well, he did say that you'd be super bored… We can do something else," something preferablynotinvolving the Fatui, "we can go hunt a cocogoat!"

Teucer seemed entirely disinterested in the idea of a cocogoat. He sighed, looking away for a moment, "Miss Lumi, did you know that I'm the fastest runner in my school?"

"Oh, I didn't know that! Congrats, Teucer, I'm so proud of you."

"Thank you," he grinned, "Anyway, bye!"

He shot off down the stairs, having no care for his own safety as he slid down the railing and disappeared into the crowded street. It happened before Lumine could register that he had escaped from her grip. He was small for his age, and certainly not lying about being a fast runner.

How could a little kid escape heragain?She'd fought and beaten Stormterror, she'd fought and beaten Childe, she could not bethisincompetant. It had to be something about Childe's family that made her put her guard down. It was some kind of curse from being starmates that caused her instincts to dull.

Terrible. Absolutely terrible. Taking a deep breath, she raced down the stairs after him. "Teucer! Please don't run away like that!"

Heads turned to face her, eyes widened. She pushed through the thickening crowd in her attempt to follow the head of auburn hair. He was so short that she could hardly catch sight of him, moving far more smoothly between the legs of the people.

"Teucer!" If Paimon was here, she'd be able to fly overhead and catch sight of him, but she'd disappeared long ago. She didn't seem to be paying attention well enough to reappear and help her. "Teucer!" Lumine cupped her mouth and yelled, "Please come back here!"

She'd lost him again. This was twice in one day.

"Teucer!" Another yell, another heavy exhale and a grimace as she dodged the bustling people. Liyue was always busy, and hardly anybody cared about anyone else's hurry. By now, there was no sign of him on the street ahead.

Lumine stopped to lean against a wall and take a deep breath. Teucer was probably tracking Childe, and she had no idea where he was even going. Perhaps if she just slipped away and never came back, then she wouldn't have to deal with this. That was what she had wanted all along, after all, was to never see Childe again.

Could she do that? Could she afford to simply slip away in the night?

"Miss," a set of cold fingers, a shaken whisper behind her and a grip on her arm. Lumine jumped and whirled around to meet a pair of wise eyes, "I have looked everywhere for you."

The fortune teller looked worse for wear. She seemed more decrepit than ever, huddled underneath a cloak with a head dipping over a crown of white hair. Lumine gasped, "I-I don't have time right now, and trust me I don't have any mora-"

"That's not what I want, girl! I have mora," she didn't look like it, with her ragged clothes and dirty fingernails, "the Fatui provide for me these days."

Lumine's heart skipped a beat, "Are they still trailing you everywhere?"

"Yes… for posterity's sake, you see." She sighed and leaned against the wall, "I know what Master Childe's future holds, and that drives him absolutely mad. But loose lips sink ships, as they say."

She didn't have time for cryptic anecdotes. There was a little boy running through the streets of Liyue who was about a minute away from running into a Fatui Harbinger's speech. "I really don't have the time," she pulled her arm from her cold grip, "unless you can tell me where Teucer is, I cannot stay and listen."

"He will not be Fatui forever."

Her world froze.

"And hedespisesthat."

"W-Well," Lumine drowned out the sound of her racing heart, closing her eyes as if shutting away the rest of the city around her, "that sounds like a personal problem."

The old woman was deathly serious. With an unnerving stare and shaking hands, she went on, "He knows the power you have. He just cannot bring himself to kill you…"

"That's…charming,"Lumine scoffed, "I really know how to pick 'em, right?"

Ignored once again. The old woman seemed thousands of miles from her, the look in her eyes seeing nothing at all in Lumine's face. With evening settling into the city the background noise only increased. And Teucer grew further with each passing second.

"I beg of you, traveler, keep the future on track."

How did she dothat?She was a wanderer, a shooting star simply passing over this night sky. "I don't have that kind of power."

"Everybody has power," she whispered, "it is simply how you choose to use it, my dear."

Cryptic prophecies and alley-way whispers, stinging words that settled themselves into her mind like a branding. Lumine stepped back as if she could create distance between herself and the future.

"I've got to go… Please," she squeezed her bony hands, "stay safe. I'll… I'll try to find you later, okay?"

"O-Okay, my girl. Please do, we have much to discuss."

Thatdidn't help with her anxiety. Overwhelmed, she pushed through the dinner-time crowds once more. There was only one gate in this direction, and Teucer had most likely gone there. It seemed that the universe was on her side for once. Several minutes later, she wandered outside of the city and caught sight of a little boy walking in the distance.

He was just as lost as her. He'd stopped running, and was now meandering down the road, eyes wide and head turning each direction with curiosity. Lumine heaved with a sigh of relief, "Teucer! Please come back here!"

"I-I…" she could barely hear him over the buzz of night time cicadas, "I think I see big brother over there!"

He was readying to run once more. Lumine shot off after him the second his legs moved. Down the hill and behind an outcropping of rocks, she heard Childe's voice echo through the air, "Her majesty expects of you loyalty," the teasing edge to his tone was gone, replaced with a stern resonance that made her stiffen at the sound, "ruthlessness, and meticulousness."

Teucer peaked around the corner of the rocks. Lumine was moving towards him on exhausted legs, nearly tripping over herself by the time she reached his side. Childe had not yet noticed their arrival, "For the trials that we face are harsh, and our enemies are like-"

A giggle, a gasp of amazement, the sound of Lumine's heavy breathing as she rested her hands on her knees and bent over to recover. Teucer ignored the tired girl behind him and sent his brother a thumbs up, as if to encourage him on his rather militant speech. Childe stiffened. His eyes went wide with something akin to horror. At least Lumine could enjoy the look on his face, even if she was stressed beyond repair. She could take joy in the fact that Childe reacted as if he'd seen a ghost.

And, he stuttered. It wasrareto hear him stutter.

"L-Like kites and rattle drums!"

"Oh, kites!" Teucer giggled, "Those are fun too!"

Childe cleared his throat and put his hands on his hips in an attempt to look confident, "Y-Yep! They shall become redoubtable foes of, uh… Mister Cyclops… in the marketplaces of Liyue!"

Lumine finally could breathe again. She straightened up and held Teucer's hand, "Look, he's getting all embarrassed because you're watching! And the new recruits are embarrassed too," they looked far more confused than anything, "let's leave now so they can all focus!"

"B-But I want to keep watching…"

Childe was scrambling for words now, "That, of course, is an analogy! For they say that the, uh, marketplace, too, is a battlefield."

A chorus of hmms and ahhs from the recruits. Lumine stifled a laugh - they looked as if they were amazed by his 'analogy'. Childe sighed in relief and gave a curt nod, "So, as your s-sales manager," he shot Lumine a glare, "I demand that you obey my every order!"

"So cool," Teucer gripped his fists and bounced, "Wow!"

Not cool in the least. Childe was like a flopping fish on the beach. "Any refusal shall be considered a betrayal. And the price for betrayal is to be dishonorably discharged from…"

"Hey Teuc, let's go check out that thing over there!" She was whispering and kneeling down beside him, "Aren't you bored?"

No go. Childe grimaced, "F-From the Liyue Institute of Toy Research!"

"That's strict," he nodded gravely, "I bet lots of people get sad if they're fired. That… t-that kind of makes me sad too…"

Childe shot her a look. She sighed and grimaced in return, her arms wrapping around the little boy as he buried his face into her stomach. An understanding passed between them - it was impossible to please both Teucerandthe recruits. Childe sent her a nod. The expression on his face was reminiscent of the one he wore earlier.

For the second time that day, it was time to go.

"Hey," Lumine whispered into Teucer's hair, "I'll let you have chocolate pancakes if you come play tag with me."

"Really?"

"Really!"

She could easily understand how he was the fastest in his school. He darted down the hill like an arrow, the sadness gone and replaced with laughter as if it had never happened. Both Lumine and Childe sighed in relief, Childe sending her a grateful look and mouthing the words 'thank you' silently.

He was totally in her debt. He was at hermercy.She would use this against him one day, somehow. She would find a way.

Once the two were out of sight, the Harbinger sighed and turned towards the confused recruits, "That was a test. You'll be facing many odd things out here." His speech was possibly the worst one given in the history of Harbingers, "How about we just skip the niceties and do some hands on training?"

Lumine was keeping Teucer busy with the chase, strategically inching further and further away with each passing second. The recruits whispered among themselves of their confusion and varying degrees of excitement. It was rare for a Harbinger to challenge a simple recruit, they would usually not waste the time. Childe put his hands on his hips and glared, "Am I hearing an objection?"

"N-No sir!"

"Great," he glanced at Lumine and Teucer in the distance. She was managing, somehow, to distract Teucer enough to keep his back turned. She pointed at something over the next hill, and the two took off into a run after whatever she saw. With a sigh of relief, he closed his eyes, "Okay, just come at me!"

The battle was nothing, it was almostboringhow easily he ducked and weaved through their assaults. Compared to the battle earlier, when he was fighting for Lumine's sake, this sparring did nothing for him. Time flew quickly as each Fatui went down, one after the other. His mind was elsewhere, and his own fighting distracted.

Five minutes later, he dismissed the beat up and tired recruits. "You did well, just, uh… go back to Liyue and eat dinner, or something."

"Yes, Lord Harbinger!"

"Shush," he nearly jumped from shock. Glancing around with wide eyes, he ignored the chorus of confused whispers once more, "Just go! That's a command, run all the way back to the harbor! Now!"

"R-Run, sir?"

"Are you hard of hearing? I said run!"

They ran, and he sighed. Teucer was absolutely going to be the death of him. He was fortunate for his little brother's hyperactivity and Lumine's help in redirection. He could not imagine what to say if he'd heard the recruits call him Harbinger.

And hopefully, none of the other Harbingers would discover that this ever happened. He was already on thin ice with the Osial ordeal and his outbursts at Signora after he thought Lumine had died. She'd not let him live down his actions quite yet. If this kept going on, the Tsaritsa would begin to receive reports of Tartaglia allegedly losing his sanity - or worse, his touch.

Once alone, Childe dropped the militant demeanor and sighed. His shoulders sagged as he called out, "Lumi? They're gone."

Silence. The cicadas hummed peacefully and birds ruffled through the trees, but no Lumine.

"Lumi? Teucer?"

He spun around. The field was empty, the rocks were untouched. There were no giggles to be heard, so they could not be hiding from him - Teucer was terrible at hide and seek.

A sigh. A realization as he stared in the direction they'd gone.

"I bet Lumine got lost."

"Miss Lumi, are we lost?"

"W-What? No! Never! I've never gotten lost in my life!"

"I… think we're lost…"

"W-We're not lost! Liyue is just over this hill here!"

Liyue was not over that hill there.

"Let's try to find big brother! He'll know the way back!"

The thought of asking Childe for help sat bitterly in her stomach. The first time she'd asked him for directions he had dragged her to Jeuyun Karst and charmed her with his stupid smiles and good cooking. She was growing tired of looking at his dumb face and wishing she didn't have to.

With Teucer at her side, the charm would be even worse. She wouldn't be able to avoid watching his big brother-ness. That would be a disaster.

"Nope. I can find our way back. Let's go."

"A-Are you sure, Miss Lumi?"

"I'm sure. We don't need him."

Hesitantly, Teucer held her hand. The leaves crunched under his feet while they walked in these unfamiliar surroundings. "Are you mad at my big brother?"

"Yes," her answer was immediate, without an ounce of hesitation, "you'll get it when you're older."

"Everybody says that, but I don't think I ever will…"

He sounded so sad, so dejected. Lumine stopped in her tracks and slipped her hand away from his. Kneeling down, she put her palms on his cheeks and gave him a serious stare, "You w