Chapter Text
Aether was feeling gloomy. After the whole fiasco, Lumine controlled the situation and she was giving him the cold shoulders. He got to admit that he was going overboard on Lumine and he deserves this treatment right now. They both grew up together and they always come in twos. If the other wasn’t with them, they’ll feel this emptiness beside them.
Sure Aether also pursues someone he likes as well, but seeing Lumine being pursued with three potential suitors all at the same time was giving him a scare. One is enough but three is too much.
Not only that, Aether still isn’t ready when it’s time for Lumine to move out. He was prepared for them to go their own ways once university started, but Lumine had chosen the same university he chose as well. He was thankful that they were still studying in the same university and living in one apartment, so he wanted to make it last a little longer.
After Xiao and Venti came home, Lumine gave Aether a talk.
“You made Qiqi scared.” Lumine started.
“I didn’t mean to. My anger was directed to Xiao, you know that I wouldn’t purposefully do that to Qiqi.” Aether explained, his head bowed down in shame and also in guilt.
Lumine sighed, she knows that Aether was genuinely feeling sorry. “Also, I can handle myself brother. If ever they like me, you’ll be the first one to know who I’ll choose.” Lumine was aware, she wasn’t that naive but she didn’t expect that three of them would be attracted to her. Childe sure didn’t hide it, Albedo was dropping hints with his caring messages, Xiao - well, judging from what she heard - was paying attention to her.
“So, don’t worry about it too much. But I won’t let this slide for the third time.” It was Lumine’s last statement before she started being cold towards Aether.
Now, Aether was thinking of ways that’ll make Lumine happy.
He stopped by Lumine’s favorite bakery shop and bought her favorite cake and drink, it was his first offer and he’ll treat her on the weekend.
-
Lumine was volunteering at the daycare and as usual Klee and Qiqi were playing with her. The kids were drawing something and Lumine was just watching.
Klee stopped drawing and asked Lumine what she was waiting to ask the whole time. “Big sis Lumine, are you free this weekend? Can we play again at my house? With Qiqi too?” Her eyes were hopeful with her tiny hands clasped together.
“I’m sorry Klee, my brother and I will hang out this weekend.” Lumine said and patted Klee’s head. It has been a while indeed since she and Aether spent the weekend together, and it was Aether’s apology treat for her too.
Klee pouted but she didn’t press on further.
“Where are you gonna go?” She asked instead.
“At the mall, it’s just a simple hang out.”
Klee took note of the place, maybe she’ll hang out with Albedo and Qiqi there.
During the day, Lumine received a message from Teucer through Childe’s number. He was also asking for Lumine to play together as well. And Lumine gave the same response. Teucer asked where they’ll go ang Lumine told him where thinking that he asked out of curiosity.
-
Aether got out of a store, as he waits for Lumine as she pays for the stuff she brought. Aether noticed Xiao a few distance from them. Aether was curious why Xiao was at the mall, whenever Venti invites them to go he would always decline and Xiao only goes to the mall if he needs to buy something.
Aether called out his name when he was close enough, and Xiao turned to the familiar voice.
“What made you come out of your house?* Aether asked once he approached Xiao.
Xiao was about to answer, but Lumine suddenly appeared from behind Aether.
“Hi Xiao!” Lumine greeted.
It made Xiao take a breath as he tried to compose himself, he wasn’t expecting Lumine to be around so it surprised him. Well, Qiqi may have mentioned that Lumine might be at the mall today that’s why she had urged him to go with her, but he didn’t actually think that it was true.
The day before saturday, Qiqi shyly asked Xiao to accompany her to the mall. Xiao declined and told her to ask Ganyu instead, but Qiqi was stubborn and she wanted to be with Xiao and Lumine. So she mentioned that they might meet Lumine. Xiao was hesitant but finally agreed.
Klee was the mastermind behind all this. She wanted to come across Lumine and Aether at the mall and hang out with them, so she dragged Albedo and invited Qiqi to the mall. Albedo didn’t know Klee’s plan to create a ‘coincidence’ so the first thing that he thought when they went to the mall was to go to a kids cafe.
Klee and Qiqi, being kids, enjoyed playing there. It made Klee forget the purpose why she went to the mall in the first place. While they were in the middle of playing, Klee was suddenly reminded of Lumine when she saw a princess outfit and remembered her reason why she came to the mall in the first place.
“Qiqi, do you want to find big sis Lumine?”
Qiqi nodded vigorously. She was having fun, but it will be more fun if Lumine was there.
So they both went to their brother and said that they wanted to go around the mall. Naturally, the guys brought the kids to the toy store. Klee was turning her head, hoping to bump at Lumine somehow. They went from store to store with Klee being in charge of where they’ll go.
Hence, the current situation Xiao has found himself in. Just as he was about to answer, Qiqi and Klee, along with Albedo, came out of the store. The kids had noticed Lumine and came running to her.
“Lumine!” Qiqi greeted as she hugged Lumine’s left leg and Klee hugged the other pair.
“Lumine and Aether, what are the odds of meeting you here.” Albedo said.
“Big brother Aether! How are you?” Klee beamed at Aether, with a clear intent behind it. Act cute and make him say yes to hang out together.
They all exchanged greetings and Klee were getting on Aether’s good side. When The twins were about to go, Klee had cut in. “Can we go with you?”
“Well, this is Aether’s plan for both of us. So I don’t have any say in this.” Lumine said.
Klee wasn’t about to give up. She and Qiqi turned to Aether with pleading eyes. Seeing their faces had struck an arrow in Aether’s heart, of course he’s not immune to the kids’ cuteness.
Well, Lumine and I have been hanging out for around 2 hours now. A little company wouldn’t hurt and we got no plans anymore. Aether thought.
“Alright.” He submitted to the kids’ cuteness, it was really effective. He would be heartless if he rejected them.
Klee exclaimed in pure ecstasy and thanked Aether, while Qiqi held Aether’s hand and squeezed it tight. After giving their gratitude, the two went to Lumine.
“Are you sure, you’re okay with this? It’s our weekend sibling date together.” Lumine asked in assurance. She could tell off Klee and Qiqi for him if he couldn’t.
“I’m fine with it.” Aether confirmed.
“Sorry for interrupting your day with Lumine.” Xiao apologized. “We didn’t really expect this at all.”
“I have a feeling that it’s premeditated, but kids are kids.” Aether sighed in defeat. Well, as long as everyone gets along, it would be fine. Right?
-
They were having some snacks at a cafe. The kids were enjoying their food, and the four of them were just chatting idly. Talking about school, well Aether does the talking mostly. Interrogating Albedo. It was their second meeting in person, and it was a great time to get to know him and make sure what his intentions were towards Lumine.
Lumine was sitting by the window of the cafe, she just let the guys talk but deep down she was having secondhand embarrassment because of Aether. She decided to ignore them and just focus on the kids to not get dragged into the conversation.
As she was taking care of Klee and Qiqi, she felt her phone vibrate and checked the notification. Childe had texted her saying to look out on the window. She did as she was told, and saw Childe and Teucer.
She received another text saying that Teucer wanted to say hi. Lumine agreed and as soon as Childe had read the text they came into the cafe.
The three kids were reunited once again, and just like the first meeting Klee and Teucer were eyeing each other, like a little puppy who’s alert for an upcoming danger.
Aether hasn't been fond of Childe since day one, and it’s his first meeting with him. He eyed Childe from head to toe, judging his appearance and his stance. He does not like that overly-confidence aura that Childe exudes.
“Miss Lumine! I missed you!” Teucer said, tiptoeing in order to reach Lumine from her seat to hug her.
“I missed you too, Teucer.” Lumine reciprocated the hug.
Teucer did not beat around the bush and forwardly asked if they could join their hang out as well.
Aether who was openly glaring at Childe did not heard Teucer’s question. Of course, Xiao and Albedo were also on high alert. Aether was already a protective shield around Lumine, they were already competitors winning over Lumine’s attention and then another one has been added to the group.
Again, Lumine’s reply was to ask Aether about it.
Teucer tugged at Aether’s shirt. “Excuse me, Lumine’s big brother, can we please please join you as well?”
Aether also agreed, not because for the sake of Teucer, but because he wanted to assert dominance over Childe.
-
Now they found themselves at an arcade, Aether challenging the guys to a competitive battle. If they want to pursue Lumine, they have to go through him first. He had to admit, the strongest opponent here was Xiao, but Xiao rarely goes to arcades so Aether still has that confidence that he could beat Xiao in this field.
The three kids had noticed that Aether was preventing their big brothers from playing with Lumine.
“Hey, Klee, Qiqi. Big bro Aether is a giant rock in the way.” Teucer whispered to them.
“Big rock?” Qiqi asked.
“You’re right Teucer. Big brother Albedo can’t play with Lumine because of him.” Klee said glancing at Aether, she thought of ways on how she could pull Aether away.
“Why don’t we distract Big bro Aether?”
“Distract?” Qiqi could not follow the conversation, she doesn’t know what the two were planning, but she was just going along as long as she could play with Xiao and Lumine.
“Let’s do it!” Klee agreed.
The three of them swarmed around Aether. And Klee was the one to start the act.
“Big brother Aether! You looked so cool playing! Can you show me how? Can Klee play with you?”
“Yes! Me too big bro Aether!” Teucer joined in.
They were showering Aether with praise. With their constant blabbering, they gave no moment for Aether to answer. Now that they separate the obstacle, their brothers can now play with Lumine.
-
“So, who do you like most big sis Lumine?” Klee and Teucer asked once again.
They are now all going in their separate ways since the sun was about to set and the kids need to rest.
“You know I’m the best big brother right, Lumi?” Aether interjected. His head was held high; unlike Childe, Albedo, and Xiao who was bashfully averting their gazes.
Lumine giggled. Though it was such a handful, it was entertaining for her.
“Hhhmm, I don’t know. I think I’m way out of their league and Aether, I’m the best between the two of us.” Lumine jokes, earning three kids huffing and pouting, Aether lightly jabbed her side using his elbow, and three guys whose shoulders slumped at her response.
“Alright, I think all of them have their own charms. But it’s up to them how they’ll swoon me.”