Chapter Text
“I’m home! I’m home, I’m home!” A lively voice echoed throughout the quiet inn room, lighting up the atmosphere of the place and of the woman in a corner, a book in her hand. “Girlie! I’m home!”
The woman chuckled at the sight of the man barging in so suddenly, putting her book down beside her on the floor. She got up, stretching, as she walked to him, opening her arms.
“You don’t even live here!” A small, high pitched voice countered from behind the woman, “Paimon thinks you’ve been visiting too often lately. Paimon also thinks you should get your own room.”
The man, not at all offended by the floating figure, relaxed in the arms of the woman offering him a hug. “Oh, I’m so tired from work, the paperworks were too mean to me, and now Paimon’s having an attitude. It makes my heart hurt, Lumine.”
“Ajax, so dramatic.” Lumine chuckled, relishing in the warmth of the body against hers.
“Am not! I’m hurt by Paimon’s words, makes me want to not give them the special gift I prepared.” Tartaglia closed his eyes, squeezing Lumine a bit tighter.
“Special gift? For Paimon? Is it food?” Paimon floated closer to Tartaglia, curious on what the gift was. “I will give it only if you let me stay for the night,” Tartaglia offered.
Paimon huffed, “Fine! But you’re not taking my side of the bed!”
Begrudgingly, Tartaglia had to let go of Lumine, Lumine content of just seeing him there safe and home for the night. He held up a small bag he hid from behind him, handing it to Lumine’s guide. Paimon instantly grabbed it and looked at the contents, their eyes shining with joy.
“Desserts!”
“They’re Snezhnayan delicacies. I had to find so hard for anyone who knew how to make them. The trip to Dragonspine was very far, but the skirmishers there did the job well,” Tartaglia explained, turning back to Lumine and holding her hand, “I also have a gift for you, girlie.”
“Hm?” Lumine looked up at him. It wasn’t odd that he would give her a gift, she’d even told him to not give her gifts too often, her opting for him to save up his money and buy things to send home instead, but with every month, he still didn’t faily to get her at least one “small” (in his terms) present. “Didn’t I tell you-.”
He was quick to defend himself. “I know, I know, not too many gifts, but this one isn’t an object. Well… it still is, kind of, but it’s more of an experience.”
“Can Paimon come with?” Paimon asked, halfway through devouring the contents of the bag.
“Can Paimon sit this one out? I’d like to have some special alone time with the most special person in Teyvat.” His eyes were trained on her, a small smile on his lips.
“Ajax, what are you planning?” Lumine laughed lightly, somewhat scared for… whatever this surprise was. “Why can’t we bring Paimon with us? They’ve always joined our dates.”
“But can I solo you on this one?” And there, he let out his most powerful weapon against Lumine: his pout.
Lumine sighed, playfully rolling her eyes, “Alright, alright. When do we leave?”
“Can we leave now?”
“But you just got home.”
“But I’m excited.”
Lumine eyed him and his pleading face. It absolutely showed only bad news, but it was Tartaglia, her Ajax, what could possibly go wrong?
To say that Yaoguang Shoal was beautiful at night would be a complete understatement. They arrived just before the sun had fully set, basking in the glow of the setting sun as they fought cicin mages, a Fatui agent, a Ruin Hunter, and countless hilichurls. They’ve always loved sparring with each other, but there would be times when they loved fighting enemies side by side. The sun was out and the moon was high up once they finished, settling on walking along the shore. Lumine casually picked up the Starconch shells they walked past, handing them to Tartaglia if they looked beautiful enough and tossing them aside if not.
The night ended with them on top of a hilichurl shooter’s platform, with the skies above painting a blue green splatter against the darkness, the stars spread across like little lights.
“You know,” Tartaglia started, playing with Lumine’s hair as he tried to pin a shell on it, “They said from the history books that Yaoguang Shoal was a famous spot for lovers.”
“Aren’t we that now?” Lumine quickly answered, very content with the cold breeze from where they were sitting.
“Mhm.” He replied then pointed to the dark seas below, “They also said this place had bioluminescent creatures before, but they’re gone now. I would’ve loved to show it to you.”
“I’ve seen those in a world I’ve gone to once,” Lumine piped up, “If given the chance, I’ll bring you there. It was a peaceful place, you’d love it.”
The two settled in the silence offered by the now isolated place. Yaoguang Shoal was always a truly magnificent place, no matter how many times she’d gone there.
“Look at the shell house over there.”
“Oh I remember that house,” Lumine spoke once she looked over and saw the dimly lit place from the other island, “I met an old woman there once. I think she liked to be called Granny Chu? She had the best stories and always told me that she could hear him.”
“Him who?” Tartaglia asked.
“Her husband. They were so madly in love in all the stories Granny Chu told me, he always gave her promises of growing old together. Sounds nice, right?” Lumine asked, not bothering to look at the man who slowly pulled her close to hug her from behind.
“Mhm.”
She could feel Tartaglia’s heart beat from behind her, assuring her of his being right there with her. It was an oddly calming feeling.
“Sadly, they got into an accident four years into their marriage. She got saved by her husband, tied her to a plank so she wouldn’t drown, and then she lived all her life there. The shell house was always accommodating when Granny Chu was there.” Lumine sighed, “But at least now she’s with her husband. I hope their souls are happy.”
“It fits perfectly.”
Lumine looked at where Tartaglia’s hand was holding hers, finding a simple silver ring with a small pink stone in the middle on her ring finger.
“Ajax?”
“You think it would be nice to grow old together too?” His voice was soft and tender as he held her, “I’m not going away though, unlike Granny Chu’s husband. I promise I’ll be there when you get gray hair and not be in the mood for sparring anymore.”
“Ajax, I-.”
“Please.” His voice trembled, nuzzling to her shoulder, “Please, Lumine. I’d like to spend my everyday with you.”
There was silence once more before Lumine laughed lightly, her eyes slightly damp with tears. “It took you, what, five years to ask me this? That’s an awfully long time don’t you think?”
“And the four years we weren’t dating, but I just knew you were very madly in love with me.” He continued.
“Well I wasn’t the one who accidentally confessed in the middle of battle!” Lumine retaliated.
“It was to distract you!” He replied with a laugh, “But after seven years, do you still want to be with me?”
“Only an idiot would say no.” Lumine said with a sigh, “Ajax, I’d love to be your wife.”
She’d always known that war was at bay at any time, but not this soon. Teyvat was filled with peace and people who kept that peace, archons who protected their people dutifully, and yet there was only crossfire in the midst of the once peaceful land she knew of.
“I’m going out.” She stood, her old, but trusty, sword in her hand, as she tried to set out from the safety of Dawn Winery and to the battlefield outside. “Mondstadt is in danger, I need to help save it.”
“Lumine.” Diluc’s stern voice was heard throughout the room, “You’re not going out there. We can’t risk you getting hurt.”
“Doctor Baizhu said not to exert yourself too much.” Paimon held Lumine’s hand with the sword.
“What Doctor Baizhu doesn’t know won’t kill him. I can still fight,” Lumine responded as she took another step but was stopped by Diluc’s maids.
“We’re sorry, but it’s the master’s orders.”
Diluc walked to her, holding the bandage across his chest, as to not make Amber who was dressing his wounds. He grabbed the sword from her hand and shook his head.
“That Fatui Harbinger told us to never let you out. I personally do not know the reason why, but I’m assuming he’s keeping his… family… safe,” Diluc explained, “I trust in you, Lumine, that you can help and that you’d make it out of there alive, but I don’t believe the baby you have can handle the stress of it.”
Lumine glared at him before trying to push her way out, “I’m a warrior, the baby can handle it. I need to go there and help! This is Mondstadt’s sake we’re talking about!”
“Open the doors!”
Diluc forcibly opened once someone from outside called, Venti bringing Jean and Kaeya with him to the inside. Kaeya panted madly as he grabbed Amber’s hand and brought her to Jean.
“She’s… hah, wounded very badly,” Venti spoke before turning to Lumine then avoiding her gaze, “I have to get back out there. It’s not safe. We need to move as much people as we can to the old Mondstadt for safety. We can’t risk it anymore.”
“Where’s Ajax?”
“He’s-.”
“He’s used his Delusion already.” Kaeya said, setting Jean down on a sofa before walking back to head out again.
“He’s not supposed to,” Lumine countered, “Wasn’t he stationed above the mountains to use his bow?”
Venti let out a nervous laugh, “People with Delusions are… they’re truly built different.”
Silence dawned upon the winery once again before Venti patted Lumine’s back, “Don’t worry. I won’t let the blood of our comrades spill tonight. I promise you this as Mondstadt’s archon.”
That night was a long nightmare to Lumine who was left worrying and kept trying to stubbornly make an exit from the winery and into the battlefield.
All she had left was her faith in Venti's promise that this would end without a loss and that Tartaglia would end up safe from both the enemies and his abilities.
The night drew to a close and the noises of war and death from outside slowly simmered until it was quiet. Diluc took this opportunity to take a look outside, having been told to not go out until it was all over due to his injuries. Lumine pushed past him, seeing the dreadful appearance of the once beautiful sunrise that the city of Mondstadt had to offer. The entire area was clear of its usual trees and grape vines, the grass now littered with fire, blood, and bodies unmoving. There were only so many people left standing, most were from the Knights of Favonious who were already trying to clean up from the attacks from last night.
Venti walked to the winery, his head hung low with his bow broken in his hand. The color of blood all over Venti’s clothing seemed to put them all on edge. This wasn’t the God of Freedom that they all knew of.
Lumine ran to him and asked, “Where’s Ajax?”
Venti looked into her eyes, frowning, “He’s… um…”
“Venti.”
“He’s alive, don’t worry. He just doesn’t want you seeing him right now,” Venti replied, his voice slightly hoarse, “He doesn’t want anyone seeing him, but don’t tell him that I told you that he’s hiding behind that boulder.”
Lumine ran to the boulder before Paimon can tell her to stop running. Behind the huge rock sat Tartaglia, his eyes closed as he was sitting down, back resting against the boulder.
“Get up and fight me! Didn’t you tell me you were going to stay in a safe place? Why did you use your Delusion? Get up from there, Ajax!” Lumine grabbed his hand and tried to pull him up, to which Tartaglia only chuckled weakly at.
“Girlie, you know I get too tired when I use my Foul Legacy form.” He opened one eye, smiling at her, “It wouldn’t be a fair match for either of us. I’d never hurt you and our baby.”
Lumine knelt beside him, checking for fatal injuries he would possibly be trying to hide. If she knew anything about him, it would be that he would hide everything that would inconvenience him. She’s learned since the first day she met Teucer.
“Then why’d you use it?” She really had to fight the urge to punch him, “You promised to stay up above with Venti’s team. You promised you wouldn’t use it.”
He pressed a soft kiss to her lips before pulling her in for a hug, “I’m sorry. It was crucial. Venti didn’t want deaths from his people.”
“Venti can manage. Kaeya was there. Jean was there. Hell, even Klee was there. You wouldn’t have had casualties.”
She settled on staying there, hearing his heavy breathing and feeling the beating of his heart. Calming. It was calming, the only thing that kept her grounded, the only thing left from keeping her from going berserk.
“I could have lost you,” she whispered, “And I wouldn’t even be there because of your stupid plan to tell Diluc about it. I could’ve helped.”
“Paimon would’ve told him anyways.” Tartaglia sighed, closing his eyes again, “Foul Legacy hurts, Girlie.”
Lumine’s lower lip trembled as she held onto him tighter. “Look. I settled in Teyvat for good for you, alright? I didn’t go with my brother back home for you , only you. You’re not allowed to die.”
Tartaglia chuckled, “What is my sweet wife saying? Of course I won’t die. Just that… Foul Legacy hurts a lot.” He coughed, “I may have broken my promise of not using it but… but I promised you we’d grow old together, right? You won’t be like Granny Chu.”
“You better.”
“But you’ll take care of the little one, right?” He sighed once more, breathing getting increasingly heavier, “Mondstadt seems like a great place to raise them.”
“Ajax.”
“Mhm. It’s protected by its archon, it’s small enough to not get lost but big enough to grow. It’s a wonderful place, you chose a good place for home,” he continued, voice settling into a whisper.
“Doesn’t hurt anymore,” Tartaglia mumbled, “You’re here with me. It doesn’t hurt anymore.”
“ Ajax .”
“Please don’t let them get a Delusion. Please don’t ever bring them to the abyss, or to the Tsaritsa. Let them have an Anemo Vision instead. Anemo looks the best on you.” He smiled weakly, “I’m sorry, Lumine.”
“You’re gonna get up and fight me right now, Ajax.” Lumine held onto him tighter as she felt the calm sensations of his heart slow down, “You’re not going to get defeated by your Delusion.”
“You can go back home now, Lumine. Please do.” He breathed out, “Forget about Teyvat and what we put you through.”
“Stop. You’re staying with me here, this isn’t…”
“Ah, but I’m sorry, comrade. Your loyal knight has to go.” He pressed a kiss on Lumine’s forehead, “Take care until we can fight each other again, alright?”