Archive of Our Own

A dream where everything she had and has now actually belongs to Aether and that she is the one that was lost. It was as if all of the things that had happened is just an illusion and she wasn’t meant to be here but her brother. She couldn’t help but let a small gasp escape from her lips as she sits up abruptly from her bed with sweat running down her forehead.

“Lumine?” Paimon called out sleepily, rubbing her eyes to clear up her vision.

She looked at her dear friend, companion and sister with worried eyes. The traveler seems to had a bad dream and now there are tears rolling down her cheeks. She slowly floated near the bedside to gently pat on Lumine’s shoulder. It startled her to suddenly look to at her floating companion.

“Oh…Paimon. Sorry, did I wake you up?”

The floating like fairy reached out to wipe a bit of the tears still flowing from the traveler’s golden eyes. It doesn’t look like Lumine was aware of the tears herself until she also touched it. She wanted to stop crying but somehow can’t. She didn’t want to worry Paimon especially since both of them had been so tired from this week trying to prepare everything for the festival.

“Do you want to tell Paimon about the dream?” Paimon tilted her head to get a better look on her dear friends’ facial expression. In which, Lumine smiled at the action.

“It’s alright Paimon, I just had a bad dream about some scary hilichurls.” Lumine tried to laugh it off so that Paimon won’t try to pry anymore. She honestly isn’t comfortable to talk about that dream she had to her. “It was just a silly dream, I just over reacted.” She gave out a small smile and wiped out the remaining tears on her cheeks. Thankfully it stopped.

“But you were screaming and crying, Paimon thinks it’s not silly at all!” Pouting she crossed her arms. Whatever is making Lumine feel this way, she wants to know so she can help even a little bit.

Lumine lifted her hands and gently patted the white-haired girl on her head. “This is nothing. So, why don’t we get back to sleep, we need our energy for the festival.” Paimon wanted to argue that she’s not sleepy but a yawn is coming out of her mouth and her eyelids suddenly feels heavy.

“Fine! but Paimon is here to listen, okay?”

It’s been a few months since both of them met and having someone there for you gives Lumine a good feeling in her heart, after all she has been alone for some time now and it’s nice to know someone is there for you even if that someone is your so-called emergency food. This brings a smile to her lips.

“Yes, I know. Thank you Paimon, for everything.” Lumine said but it seems the little companion was too sleepy to be able to reply back and after few seconds of lazy floating she disappeared to wherever she goes to. She’s always curious to how Paimon does this and where does she actually go but it wasn’t something that bothered her. I mean she does travel world after world before this, so it isn’t really that surprising to her.

Lumine tried to sleep again but no matter how many times she turns in her bed, sleep doesn’t come. It doesn’t help she keeps remembering about that dream. “Was I really not supposed to be here?” She whispered silently in her pillows while closing her eyes trying to remember her memories about her brother. She missed him so much it hurts her heart. Maybe she doesn’t deserve to be here and instead it should be Aether. The thoughts kept filling her head and she took a small peek to see if Paimon is around.

It seems that the little companion is sleeping heavily. Lumine gave out a sigh and decided to take a walk outside to clear her mind. She silently slid off her bed and grabbed her boots. Not wanting to be noticed by Paimon, she tip-toed towards the door and gently shut it as she walked away gracefully.

She didn’t really know why but somehow her feet brought her at Yaoguang Shoal. Sighing, Lumine carefully looks around her for any nearby enemies and saw none. Deciding that it’s safe here, she takes slow strolls along the shore. She stopped when she notices a star conch sticking out of the sand.

“Oh? What a pretty shell.” Lumine said as she lowered herself to pick it up. ‘Star conch huh…if I put these on my ears, will I be able to hear my brother’s voice again?’ She was too occupied with her thoughts that she didn’t notice the figure behind her.

Childe had countless sleepless night but today he didn’t expect a certain golden hair girl to be his usual spot. He still had nightmares from that dark time in the abyss, and so clearing out all the monsters in Yaoguang Shoal was a daily routine for him to help sleep. He was about to go back to the city but seeing his favorite comrade made him want to stay out late.

Slowly, he approached her from behind curious at what she was crouching for. “What are you doing out this late ojou-chan?” He asked as he crouched down as well and notice she was holding a blue star conch.

“Ah!” Lumine was surprised when a smooth and boyish voice spoke from behind her. She quickly turned her head around to have her face only inches from Childe’s. Quickly as if on her instincts, she used the star conch as a shield between them and also to hide a bit of her blush.

“Childe? I should be the one asking you that…” She softly glared at the young man in front of her who only just gave her his usual uniformed smile.

“Oh me? Well, I was quite restless tonight and so I thought it might be a good idea to have a little nightly sparring with the monsters here. And what about you ojou-chan?” He answered her questions quite honestly is she must say so.

Lumine didn’t really want to say the real reason why she’s up and about this late but somehow tonight she felt different. She does not care if he might be her enemy just trying to get information on her. Right now, she it’s just her and a young odd man who likes to fight.

“Hmmm… I’m not sure if I want to tell anything to a supposedly self-proclaim bad guy.” She wanted to tease him for a bit.

Putting down the star conch, she gathers her dress from behind and sat on the sands. She patted the space beside her to signal him to sit with her and he did, surprisingly. The moonlight was shining fully and the stars on the beach is sparkling quite beautiful that night. She looked up and sighed.

“Eh? That’s quite unfair of you comrade! I told you mine and so you should tell me yours.” He gave her a childish pout which made her laugh a bit at how silly he looks.

When he saw her chuckle, he suddenly had a serious look on his face. “I know I had said before that I am a bad guy, but please trust me to not do anything that would jeopardize the friendship we have now.” He picked up the star conch she was holding a while ago and put it on his right ear.

“You know... they say that if you put a star conch on your ears, you will hear what your heart desire?” Childe closed his eyes as if he is listening to something.

Lumine didn’t know where he’s going on with this but looking at his serene face made her heart fluttered. ‘I know that…I also know that you have a good heart Childe…’

“You see ojou-chan, I also wish to hear what your heart desire just like the purpose of this shell. So for tonight, can I be your star conch?” He slowly opened his eyes and the light from the moon illuminated how his eyes is the color of the sea.

She looked away; afraid he might catch her staring at the beauty of his eyes. “I had a dream.”

Sighing, she moved her legs closer to her chest and buried her face in her arms. “I had a dream… that I wasn’t supposed to be here…. that it was my brother who should be here and not me.” Lumine can feel the tears starting to form around the corners of her eyes, threatening to fall any moment.

“It felt like an illusion…everything that had happened to me since I woke up. That I was the lost twin instead of my brother.” By now there are few tears trailing down her cheeks, if Childe noticed he didn’t say a word but rather he silently listens to her.

“And then?” Childe gently asked.

“Then I realized how selfish I would be if I was sadder, if everything I had was just an illusion rather than my brother being safe. I…was also scared because in that dream I was taken by the abyss. I was the one behind everything the abyss has done to create chaos. What if I’m actually the bad guy, then it would been better if you have taken me down instead.” She tried to laugh it off as a joke but Childe doesn’t think it is funny one bit, rather he has an angry look but she didn’t notice and continued on.

“I felt like I was trapped in the darkness of the abyss. It was as if I had experienced such horrific events that gave me no choice but to end up in the darkness. I’m scared what if I hurt the people who trust me...” She couldn’t hold it any longer and let her tears fall from her cheeks freely. Childe must of think how weak she looks at that moment. Suddenly a warm and gently hand softly pats the top of her head. She looked up to see it was Childe.

“Ojou-chan, that is nothing but just a silly dream. I can assure you that everything is real, I am real.” He lifted his fingers to gently wipe the tears from her eyes and continued.

“When my younger siblings have nightmares, I always tell them that big brother is here to protect them from it so they have nothing to be worry of. But you see comrade, you are much stronger than me. You are the kindest girl I know. You have a determined heart. But if you ever felt weak, if you need someone to help you, please remember that I am here.” He smiled at her and this time she felt the sincerity of it.

“Despite the horrible agenda’s I did back then. You still forgave me and even took care of my little brother. The endless kindness you have, amazes me ojou-chan. And of course, your strength too!” He chuckled and poked her puffy cheeks that is red from the crying. Lumine frowned at him for this but she let him be.

Looking serious again, Childe reached out for the stray strands of her golden hair and captured them between his fingers, softly playing with them. “So, please don’t ever call yourself a bad guy nor will you ever be one. And if there might be a timeline somewhere out there that you are taken by the abyss, then let me assure you that I will go back again in that damn place to find you and take you back. No matter what ojou-chan, I will make sure you live.”

Lumine felt an overwhelming feeling in her heart after hearing everything Childe has said to her. She was speechless for a couple of second and could only stare wide-eye at this handsome young man holding her cheeks now and caressing it gently. She moved her arms and placed her hands on his that was cupping her face.

“Childe I….” Her voice cracked when she tried to speak but no words can express how much his words meant to her. She felt like crying again.

“You know ojou-chan, if you still believe that all of this is an illusion then let me show that it’s not.” His words confused her and made her tilt her head then all of a sudden, his face were only inches from hers in a blink of an eye.

“Eh? What—” She wasn’t able to even finish what she was about to say when his lips covered hers in a soft peck. Her eyes widen with shock and couldn’t even move from the things that suddenly is happening at the moment. She looks at him and saw that he had his eyes closed, she honestly didn’t expect of this but she finds that her eyes slowly close as well.

Lumine felt his lips move to deepen it and she follows his lead. She can feel his hot breath with hers and his hand slowly shift from her cheeks to hold the back of her head as if not letting her escape his kiss. Her heart is pounding so much she’s afraid that Childe might hear it. She placed her hands on his chest not sure if because she wants to push him away or just to feel if his heart also reacts the way hers does.

Childe didn’t know what had gotten on his mind to kiss her just like that but when he saw her eyes glimmering from unshed tears. He couldn’t help himself think on how his ojou-chan looks so beautiful especially under the moonlight. The way those golden orbs stare at his azure one’s made him lose all sense. He just wanted to claim her right then and there, want to feel what her lips would feel against his.

When he felt her hands on his chest, it boosted his desire to deepen the kiss. He shifted their position so that she is not sitting on his lap and her arms instinctively wraps around his neck for support. He placed his left hand on her waist and the other on the back of her head. She let out a small squeak that made him smile on their kiss because of how cute she sounds.

She was taken by the moment that she hadn’t realize that it wasn’t sand that she is sitting on but Childe’s muscular lap. She also scolded herself from indulging in the moment to wrap her arms around his neck. They way she is position, made her feel his heart pounding from his chest. Glad that she wasn’t the only one getting passionate in the moment.

They made out for a couple of more minutes before both has to take a break for air.

“Now that was quite unexpectedly a passionate kiss from ojou-chan.” He teased her but lifted his fingers to moved her stray hairs behind her ears. They way her face is now reminding him of a ripe tomato. ‘So cute. My ojou-chan is so cute.’

The moment they broke off the kiss, Lumine felt her cheeks burning from embarrassment. Quickly, she grabbed the star conch nearby and used it as shield for her face so Childe won’t see how red she is. All this while she is still sitting on his lap which amused him so much.

“Why did you do that so suddenly! Do you want me to beat you up again?” She scolded him harshly because she was mad. ‘That was my first kiss despite all those countless years of traveling world after world.’ Then she gripped the star conch on her hands and used it to hit Childe on his head.

“Ouch! Ojou-chan! Please stop!” but she just continues to hit him.

“That was my first kiss you idiot! Do you just do this to anyone you see!?” This time the tears forming on her eyes were angry tears. She felt her heart hurt when she thinks that Childe just kisses anyone when he felt like it. ‘Am I an idiot for thinking of the kiss something more….’

She was about to him again when he caught her wrist. It was so sudden that she dropped the star conch she was using as a weapon. She looked up to him and they stared at each other.

“Ojou-chan, never in my life do I take interest in this kind of things and so this too was my first. I never imagine there will come a time that I would get excited from something other than fighting. You are someone I respect for her strength and you are the only one that made me feel this way. I want you to know that I kissed you because I like you.” He stared at her with such determination in his eyes and he used this opportunity to pull her closer so that their foreheads are leaning against one another.

Lumine doesn’t know what to react for a second before gathering her composure and took her wrist away from his hold. She lifted both her hands to gently cup his face.

“Childe I at first didn’t trust you one bit and even more after what you did with the ancient god scheme. But after meeting Teucer, I saw a side of you who cares and love his siblings so much. And with that I started to like you…. too” She trailed off at the end as she felt shy confessing suddenly. She wanted to run away at that moment but his gaze is as if holding her in place.

Without words, Childe leaned forward to give her another kiss but this time Lumine didn’t hesitate at all and reciprocated it instantly the moment their lips touched. They stayed that way for a couple of seconds before breaking it off for air.

The moment they can speak again, Childe gave her a silly smile and said “Does this mean I can claim you as mine, ojou-chan?”

She wanted to smack him again with the shell to erase that stupid grin but she couldn’t help smiling back.

“No.” She simply said replied and he gave out a whiny protest.

“Eeh!? Why not?” He gave her the most childish pout he can muster which made Lumine laugh. She then adjusted her positing so that her back is resting on his chest while his arms surround her upper body.

“You have to beat me first if you want to claim me.” She huffed and snuggled deeper in his hug. Lumine wanted to tease him more but she also meant her words as well. ‘It would be boring if everything is easy.’

Childe couldn’t help but smiled at the pretty lady in his arms at the moment. Her proclamation of the challenge made his heart skip a beat. How she makes him excited every moment he is with her, is something of a mystery to him. ‘My family would be so ecstatic to know that their son has fallen for a girl.’ He can already imagine the wide smile on their faces.

“Oh? Is that a challenge my pretty lady?” She can hear his smirk even without looking at him.

“Yep. I won’t go easy on you just because we shared a kiss.” Lumine leaned her head back to show him her determined eyes and then she sticked out her tongue at him while smiling and he smiled back.

“You know me so well, zvezda moya. I too will go all out on you, so better be prepared.” He whispered beside her ears and when she heard the foreign words even despite not knowing what it means has made her heart fluttered by just how he pronounces it so lovingly.

“Hmm that settles it then. Should we go back now?” Lumine asked but truthfully, she still wants to stay longer in his arms.

“Just a bit longer.” He leaned down to give her a gentle kiss on the crown of her head. She didn’t argue despite needing to wake up early the next day for the festival and just leaned her back against his chest.

They sat still together under bright night sky while watching the beauty of the moonlight that is reflecting at the clear waters of Yaoguang Shoal.

Paimon woke up early that morning because of how excited she is to taste all the different food stalls during the festival. When she floats towards her companions’ bed, the sight that greeted her is undeniably unexpected.

“Hah!? What is money bag doing here!” She wanted to call Xiao to exterminate this fatui but then she remembers why she calls him ‘money bag’ and that he can buy her all the food she wants.

Paimon stared at the unusual pair sleeping on the bed as they are cuddled with one another. She wanted to eat right away but the scene looks so peaceful that it made her sleepy again. Rubbing her eyes, she floated towards the couple and laid her head against Lumine’s back. And so, the trio slept peacefully together.