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"Come on Miss Honorary Knight! Let's go find some places to test out these Harpastum Bombs!"
"Klee! Wait up!" But the little red burny girl zoomed like a roadrunner, leaving Line in the dust. "Ahh, there she goes…"
A hand pats her shoulder and she sees Jean. "Lumine, why don't you sit this one out."
"Oh? You sure?" she asked.
"It's alright. I did promise Klee to go fish-blasting with her. And it's like her mother said: these islands are a good place to spend the summer. I can find myself relaxing here for a bit. You too should rest."
"Thanks Jean."
The archipelago was indeed beautiful. Clear blue skies, the waters were cool to sink into for swimming, and the islands were great for exploring. It was a magical paradise found with the help of Alice, Venti, and Dvalin.
Lumine decided she could go for a stroll. She teleported to the Waypoint on the Broken Isle. The isle was the largest out of the ones she's been to, and the shores were perfect for a walk. Even in the wind she can hear the mysterious tunes of the islands that made it more magical to be in.
Her foot hits something hard and she sees something slightly buried in the sand. Lumine picked it up and it turned out to be an Echoing Conch. These Echoing Conches seem to bear voices from the distant pasts, mostly of people who once visited or inhabited the island. Even to this day, there are many recording the voices of people on the island. She found one that had Barbara telling Klee how Jean enjoyed fishing when they were little, and it brought a smile to Lumine's face.
Sir, I'm afraid we're having difficulty retracing how we got here. We might have to camp here for a few days to figure out our course , the Echo Conch played with a man's voice she never recognized. Lumine put the conch by her ear and listened closer to the conversation.
But the next thing she heard was completely unexpected.
Well, we better find a way fast , a familiar voice sighed, Otherwise the Tsaritsa will grow impatient when she's seeking my audience.
That was Childe's voice. Hearing his voice and piecing the fact that he was here left her mouth wide open, face in disbelief. But then again, it did make sense. Childe took a separate boat instead of going with Signora, and didn't return from Liyue for eight months, which was longer than what was expected as Ekaterina said. A boat to Sneznhaya and back would have taken at least ten days.
Until then, we might as well scout the area around these areas , Childe said, There might be something useful we can use to get out of here. Have some men check the rest of the islands for anything interesting .
Very well sir. We will investigate these islands and try to find a way back on course as soon as possible .
Childe sighed again and muttered, Man, I don't wanna be stuck here…
The recording of the Echoing Conch ends there and it left Lumine with more than what was given. And it brought a big curiosity to find out if there were more Echoing Conches that were related to him. Not that she cared or anything.
Sure, he is a decent person, having to care for his family and having standards of cleaning and cooking, but he's a bad guy. Her enemy. The asshole that dropped her about eight floors high in the Golden House. But somehow there was this allure to him that she cannot help but feel attracted to. After all, he is pretty damn handsome.
After a whole afternoon of searching around the archipelago, Lumine was disappointed to find nothing but Echoing Conches of just Fatui being Fatui. She did find one that assured they found a way back and it made her happy to know Childe made it out safe. Venti did say it was hard to get there due to the wind and fog, but somehow they found themselves there for some reason.
She was reading to call it a day and rest at the campsite they recently set up at the hut Alice prepared. But from the corner eye she saw a small blue shell on the sand. Before the waves pulled it back to the ocean Lumine picked it up and held the tiny starconch.
"Strange...these normally wash up on the Yaogung Shoals," she said to herself. These starconches immediately remind her of Childe, because she recalls memories of them picking up seashells during their free time when she didn't have commissions and he didn't have work. They would talk about little things, like family, food, and other stories of their adventures and also spar along the beach. The recollection of their time together brought a smile to her face as she stared at the little blue shell with a star at its center.
If she could, she would bring herself to love the Harbinger because they indeed had more things in common than what she thought.
Huh...never thought I'd see a starconch here on these shores.
The sudden familiar voice made her jolt and turn to the direction of the sound. A few feet from her, an Echoing Conch started playing its recording, surrounded by starconches littered across the sand. Of course he wasn't here, it's just the Conch.
...I wonder how the Traveler is doing. Childe's voice echoed from the conch.
Hearing her alias makes her even more curious and approaches the Conch laying in the sand. She crouches down and carefully hears what it's playing.
She's probably off to the next nation. But then again, Inazuma is closed off. Maybe comrade's probably doing commissions back and forth from Liyue and Mondstadt. He wasn’t wrong. Lumine was searching for a way to get into Inazuma, but no luck.
It's a shame. I'm gonna miss out on the Lantern Rite this year. I wanted to take her to see the lanterns.
He wanted to go to the Lantern Rite with her? She remembered her experience with Lantern Rite with Xiao, taking him close enough for him to see the Mingxiao Lantern go up. It was indeed a pretty sight to behold, and she wished to spend it with the people she cared about, specifically her brother. But imagining what would happened if Childe was with her at the Lantern Rite? That was absurd, the Traveler and Harbinger, fate enemies frolicking around food stalls and writing their wishes on Xiao Lanterns? Playing Theatre Mechanicus and exchanging strategies? Watching the lanterns soar and twinkle in the night sky on top of Mt. Tianheng? It was oddly specific in her head, but the fantasies of them together at the Lantern Rite were just outrageous.
Childe’s signature laugh echoed in the conch, Who am I kidding, she'll probably go with someone else. And I'm sure she doesn't miss me anyway, what am I thinking? Haaah, you idiot...why did you even start caring for the enemy? Dammit, Lumine...you're the most insufferable person I met, aside Scaramouche. "
And Lumine took that personally. "Says you, you're the insufferable one here." She spoke back like she was actually talking to him.
That goody two shoes attitude of yours, the conviction in your eyes to win, your stupid pout when get angry, your prowess in our battle, the way I just want to introduce you to my family, just drop everything and go on your adventures, that smile on your face, the way you make me want to kiss you and ask you to be my bride...Archons it's so intoxicating. Lumine, why can't I get you out of my head?
Lumine can imagine him ruffling his head to clear his mind. He chuckled, All this island time is making nuts now, talking to myself and saying I like the Traveler.
There was a pause of silence until Childe said as if it was a fact, Drat. I think I really like Lumine.
And the Echoing Conch stopped there, leaving a completely confused Lumine with her face flushed red on the shore at night.
~~
A few days later, they were able to get back safely with the help of Venti and Dvalin, and everyone wanted to take a day off to sleep after their island adventures.
But Lumine had other plans then to sleep from exhaustion of exploring new lands.
She took a Waypoint to Liyue, walked up the stairs to Northland Bank, and barged into its common area.
Before Ekaterina could say anything, Lumine interjected with a serious look, "Where's Childe?"
Quietly, she points to his office upstairs and Lumine gives her a nod as thanks. Lumine slams open and sees Childe raising his head up from the sudden intrusion.
"Comrade, what brings you here? That was very bold of you to walk in here like that."
But what made Childe more concerned was the fake innocent smile that meant she knew he did something.
She opened her pocket dimension and grabbed the Echoing Conch from it, slamming the Conch onto his desk.
"What's with that Conch?"
"Oh nothing much, just that I never thought you would want to kiss me and marry me on the spot."
The Echoing Conch played its recording and it left Childe in awe. He was speechless. Normally he doesn't let his emotions get the better of him but this recording of him working out his feelings for the woman before her left his mouth open for flies to fly in.
He brought himself back into awareness and looked at Lumine in the eye."...Lumine, I can explain-"
"You never told me you got stranded on an island when you left Sneznhaya. And I just happened to be around that area with some friends last week and found this lovely conch."
"I'm just talking to myself, I didn't mean-"
"You don't mean you like me?" She crossed her arms and glared at her.
"Yes- I mean no, I just...aaagggh how do I say it?" He buried his face in his hands as he leaned forward to the desk. "You were the only person other than my family I was thinking about while my crew was finding a way back."
"How about now? Do you still think about me?"
He didn't want to admit he does, because that would confirm his feelings for her. And her interest in this could possibly lead to a romantic relationship with the girl of his dreams. But he won't let himself be taken aback like this. He wanted her to confess she likes him.
Childe stood up from his desk and walked towards Lumine at a very close space. "What about you? Have you been thinking about me since you heard this message? Or maybe you've been thinking about me since the first time we met?”
His teasing tone unfazed Lumine, and she deadpanned, “If this is your way to make me say I like you first, then I’m not going to let you have your way.”
“Wow, aren’t you harsh girlie?” he scratched his head to hide the awkwardness following his words. But damn, she was one step ahead of him, and it makes him want her even more.
Lumine eyed the paperwork and said, “Well it looks like you still have a lot to do, so I’ll let you take care of that first. See you later Chi-”
As she turned and walked to the door, Childe grabs her arm and lowers his head. “Don’t go.”
“Why? You too scared to be alone in your pining?” she smirked.
“Damn she is good,” Childe thought.
In defeat he might as well let it all out. "Hah, why do you do things that make me want to hold you. Lumine….I really do like you. You captivate me. You make me want to know about you. Not just the Honorary Knight of Mondstadt, not the Savior of Liyue , not the Traveler...just Lumine."
Lumine opened her mouth to say something, but Childe interrupted her. “I know it might be difficult, being involved with a Harbinger just brings bad news. I’m not asking you to join the Fatui. And I won’t have time to join you on most of your adventures. Just...can you tell me if you feel the same way so I can at least know?”
There was a look of doubt on her eyes, avoiding any eye contact with him. She was lost in thought before she grabbed Childe’s collar and gave him a quick peck on the lips. Lumine pulled away before he could kiss her back and smiled. "We'll work something out. I really did miss you when you were away.”
Childe was frozen to his feet, trying to register the kiss and her answer. Meanwhile, Lumine scurried to the door to hide the upcoming blush on her cheeks. “Well I have stuff to do, see you later!”
The door closes and he is still standing at the same spot. He can faintly hear a muffled scream on the other side of the door, probably Lumine using her scarf or hands to vent out what had just occurred. A few minutes later, Ekaterina knocks on the door and comes in.
“Sir, the Traveler left the Bank in a hurry, what exactly happened? Did she threaten you? You look terrible.”
“Ekaterina, do you have a paper bag, or a pillow by chance?”
“Well I do have enough lunch in a paper bag.” She holds out the bag to him. Childe snatches the bag, empties the contents onto the desk, and screams into the paper bag like a hormonal teenager after getting the girl he’s been crushing on.
Childe then rips the bag up and hands the remains to Ekaterina with an elated expression . “Thank you, I feel much better.”
Ekaterina could only question what on earth would make her boss this weird. “Sir- what exactly hap-.
Drat, I think I actually like Lumine.
The unexpected recording from the Echoing Conch turns their heads to it and immediately Childe pushed her out, thanking her for service before shutting the door to his office on him.
Ekaterina blinked a few times, and could get a faint idea of what happened.
“I don’t get paid enough for this.”