Chapter Text
This evening, Yujing Terrace is oddly deserted. Regardless of the time of day, the picturesque location nestled in Liyue Harbour’s highest point usually has a smattering of visitors, but tonight is an exception. Flickering lanterns and a silvery moon are the sole companions to a certain, white-clad figure creeping along the walkway. Illuminated by the dim light as she is, one could easily mistake the young woman as a specter or apparition of sorts. Careful step is taken after careful step, and a blonde head darts back and forth to confirm that the area is abandoned.
Then, she abruptly dives into the fish pond.
Splash.
When Lumine surfaces for breath, it’s simply to pluck a Lotus Head from a nearby plant; then she’s dipping back beneath the surface, arms snaking out to catch a Golden Bass barehanded. Speed is of the essence when it comes to manual fishing. The sounds of rapid splashing are audible in an otherwise silent courtyard as the Traveler gives chase to yet another fish, having no regard whatsoever for humility or shame. She’s the only one here, after all. It’s somehow peaceful, especially in the dead of night without the judgemental stares of various onlookers.
She finds herself losing track of time, caught up in the chase as she is (surely she can grab just one more fish). Only when Lumine feels one of her legs starting to cramp does she realize how long she’s been swimming around in rapid circles.
Startled, her head surfaces, but it’s too late. Her stamina is fully depleted. “Gh...!” There’s a choked cry of surprise that manages to escape before her head dips back under the water; mentally, she’s fuming at her own stupidity. If nothing else, she’s glad that no one else was here to witness this—
Until strong arms wrap around her.
They’re warm, and the sensation of bare skin brushing against her own sends a trail of goosebumps down her spine. Eyes shoot open even underwater, and what remains of her breath is released in a surprised gasp—unfortunately, she inhales a generous helping of fish pond water at the same time. By the time she finds herself miraculously returned to dry land, Lumine is doubled over and coughing. There’s a hand stroking her back, encouraging her to expel whatever remains of the algae-laden liquid.
“Never thought I’d catch such a cute fish in the pond tonight. Taking up a new hobby, ojou-chan?”
Spots are dancing against her eyelids, but she doesn’t need her vision to clear before recognizing that voice. “C-Childe,” she manages in a shaky wheeze, “Why are you...?”
“There, there. No talking right now, okay?” There’s something akin to laughter against his lips, but Childe continues those light, soothing motions for a moment more. Only when her breathing has returned to normal does he let a chuckle seep through. “So, feeling better now?”
Embarrassment at the situation is finally beginning to sink in, and Lumine buries her face in her hands. She still hasn’t looked at him—can’t bear the shame. “Um... please pretend you didn’t see that.”
On the other hand, her rescuer’s tone is positively chipper. “Then, should I also pretend that I can’t see anything right now?”
It takes a moment for her to realize what he’s referring to. Specifically, she rubs her eyes until they’re clear, stares at him, and realizes the distinct lack of clothing adorning the upper half of his body. Immediately, she tries to avert her gaze downwards, and realizes his remaining attire is dripping wet, which means—hers is, too. She tucks herself into a ball with a startled squeak. “Ah...!” There’s a rush of heat that floods her cheeks then. White clothes don’t do so well when wet, and a wave of self-consciousness descends in full force.
“Yes?” Childe’s voice is patient, if not highly amused.
“D-Don’t look! I— achoo!” A shiver runs through her frame then, and Lumine curses the part of her that’d thought this would be a good idea. The fish had looked so easy to catch, and it’d been a while since she’d last seen Lotus Heads during her travels...
There’s an audible sigh that interrupts her thoughts, and she looks up. Childe has turned away, picking something off of the ground. Moments later, he returns to her side, all while pointedly averting his gaze from her as instructed. Despite the repressed smile playing around the corners of his lips, she can’t quite fault him for anything so far.
However, her guard still rises when the distance between them is closed once more. “Wh-What are you... ?”
His shirt comes to rest around her shoulders.
“Oh.” It smells like him; that cool, refreshing scent reminiscent of the coastline, coupled with something like fresh mint. His warmth lingers on the garment too, and for a moment, she lets that comforting feeling envelop her. It’s enough to chase away the chill from her drenched garments, just briefly, until— “Achoo!”
“Pfft.” Childe isn’t able to resist a faint chuckle this time, and an arm is draped around her—“Then, I guess this’ll have to do. Warm enough, ojou-chan?”
She’s too flustered to utter anything beyond a mumbled squeak. Eyes flicker up, then down, then—it’s impossible not to stare at him right now, although she’s trying her very best. The Harbringer’s trademark red scarf doesn’t do much at all in terms of covering him up; chiselled abs and criss-crossed battle scars are displayed in full view, and Lumine finds her face reddening even further.
He looks... good.
“Alright, let’s get you properly cleaned up or you’ll catch a cold. C’mon.” Content to take the lead, he guides her along the walkway, then back down towards the city. His pace is brisk, but never too fast—with Childe’s body in such close proximity to her own, though, the walk seems to take eons. She feels hyper-aware of each and every detail, from the calm rise and fall of his chest (he’s incredibly at ease, in stark contrast to her tense nerves) to the sensation of coiled muscle draped around her. Playful smile and innocent appearance aside, she’s suddenly all too cognizant of how dangerous the young man by her side is.
“So, gonna tell me what you were doing there? Or do I have to guess?” Intentional or not, that lighthearted tone is too disarming; he doesn’t leave any room for her to think straight.
Lumine’s features contort into a pout, followed by a soft sniffle. “ ... Fishing.”
That simple, single-word response sends Childe into another burst of laughter. “Ahaha—hahaha, you were—fishing, she says, fishing in decorative ponds in the middle of the night—I can’t—haha, hahaha!” They must be quite the sight right now: a shirtless young man laughing without a care in the world, accompanying a drenched, pink-faced young woman. “Look, ojou-chan—” He wipes a tear from his eye, still grinning from ear to ear. “If it’s fishing you want, I’ll take you to a good place tomorrow. But no more late-night diving, got it?”
They’re rounding the corner back to the inn where Lumine’s been staying while in the city, and she nods meekly. “Okay.”
For once, she has to admit that he’s right.