Chapter Text
"No"
Lumine resolutely answered as the man behind him continues to follow her.
"Oh, come on! Wouldn't you want someone like me in your party?" The man behind her whined.
Lumine can't help but roll her eyes. This guy has been following her since she left Liyue harbor this morning to explore the areas she haven't checked out yet.
Since then he's been constantly whining - persuading - her that he will tag along. Lumine wished that Paimon was with her. She's sure that her little friend can keep up with the man behind her in terms of whining. Unfortunately, she was enticed by Xiangling as a food tester for her new menu.
"I said no" Lumine responded once again.
The man behind her clicked his tongue.
"Whatever you say. I'm still following you" he said in a triumphant smirk.
Lumine stopped in her tracks and sharply turned to face the persistently annoying guy.
"What do you want from me, Childe?" She asked with an exhausted sigh.
Her expression was between frustated and annoyed. And yes - tired.
She once gave him the benefit of the doubt. Given that she knew in the beginning his affliation with the Fatui, she's rather careful when dealing with him.
For someone who's a beginner at establishing relationships, given that it was only her and her brother ever since she remember and they don't attach themselves to the worlds they have travelled in, Lumine was rather proud of how she handled herself. Too bad her opponent is Childe.
Rather than being exhausted physically, she's tired of trying to understand the contradiction called Childe.
If you look on the surface, he's friendly. Someone who smiles and laughs often and has an easy-going personality. But if you let your guard down, you'll definitely be eaten alive - whole and without resistance.
He's the perfect textbook example of "A Wolf in a Sheep's Clothing"
"It would be good if he's a bad, like bad, wolf. But he's not. So I have no idea on how to deal with him"
Lumine thought remembering that although he used her - which is no surprise - he wasn't really out to harm her to the point of death.
Sure, he thought she can't defeat him - the nerve of him - but maybe that's why he didn't take the battle as seriously like he should.
Or maybe not?
Maybe he's just a battle junkie who built his relationships based on battles. He did say before; 'Anyone who strives as I do to grow stronger shall be called a friend, even if our friendship can only be shown in battle against one another.'
But even if that's the case, he still summoned that hydra-ish god to destroy Liyue!
Lumine can't count how many sighs shorten the life of her just thinking about it. About him.
For someone like Lumine, who's a beginner at almost everything - except maybe combat knowledge and some stuff that's not applicable in her state right now - he's too much to handle.
Figuring out Childe was tricky and for quite some time, Lumine was stuck in a cycle of questioning herself. It was a loop until Lumine gave up - due to headache - and concluded that it's better for her not to get involved with him.
But look at where we are...
Lumine sighed as she stared pointedly on the man in front of her - the same man she's trying to avoid - waiting for him to answer the question she asked with all seriousness in the world.
_________________
What do I want from her?
Childe repeated the question in his mind.
To be honest, he doesn't have an idea.
After eveything that happened, he went back with Signora to report the details to the Tsaritsa. He was told to lay low for a while because he caused too much ruckus that other archons are wary of his presence.
He stayed in Snezhnaya for a bit. He went home, played with his siblings, fight here and there; basically just doing his usual once he got some little vacation for himself.
The only difference was that, this time, he was bored.
Really really bored.
To the point that he often finds himself day dreaming about that day when he had a battle with her.
It was the first time he unleashed his full power without having someone be fatally injured or dead. It was strangely liberating.
He can clearly remember her every move - how fast she dodges and her graceful executions. He can never forget the way her eyes looked - golden, determined, focused on him.
It was thrilling.
He clearly underestimated her. I mean, yeah, he heard of her feats in Mondstadt, but would you expect someone who looks like her be that strong? Even stronger than him?
His first impression of her was that she looked like a fairy straight out of the children's book he read a couple of times for his younger siblings. With her blonde hair, golden eyes, white dress and small stature, everyone would be fooled to think that she's fragile and weak. Little did they know that she's one deadly fairy.
He learned first hand of how powerful she is - she can be. Some of his ribs are still aching whenever he remembers the wonders she can do with her sword partnered with her elemental ability.
Fortunately, he gained something. He saw her hidden card - two elements must mean two visions - or is that all? Maybe she hasn't shown anything to him yet.
The prospect of her being stronger than what he saw made him more curious. Thrilled.
It made him catch a boat back to Liyue and find her the moment he arrived.
And now she's here, in front of him, looking at him with her golden solemn eyes.
What should he say to her?
How can he answer a question he himself doesn't know the answer?
So he settled with the most plausible answer he can think of.
"Nothing. Can't I accompany a friend in her travels?" He answered, smiling with his eyes closed.
Even to his ears it sounded like an excuse.
Upon hearing the word 'friends', Lumine scowled visibly. Something you rarely see in her.
Seeing her reaction, something pinched inside of Childe, still his smile didn't waver.
"Friends?" Lumine asked, still with a frown on her face.
"Why, yes. I told you before didn't I? Anyone who strives as I do to grow stronger shall be called a friend. Besides, I thought we were getting along quite well together, didn't you?"
Childe answered, still smiling. He's doing his best to sell himself, again, to Lumine. Although he's also not lying when he said that. He did consider her as a friend. No matter how ridiculous it sounds.
Lumine glared at him, for a while, and then she closed her eyes. She took a deep breathe and exhaled as if she was giving up.
"Whatever. Do what you want" she answered and sighed in resignation. Her expression was back to normal, expressionless with a bit of gentleness. And Childe can't help but congratulate himself.
He did it.
He can now officially tag along and not just follow her like some stalker.
He smiled in anticipation as he imagined how much more can Lumine surprise him.
How much more she can amuse and interest him.
He was grateful to the Tsaritsa for giving him a vacation.
Afterall, the fun just starts now.