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Thankfully, there wasn’t a single cloud hanging over the sky to obstruct the view. Clearly illuminated by the silver hue of the moon, that black velvet, usually so distant and full of secrets, was now open to any bare eye that had a desire of taking a peek. And it was a sight to behold.
The crescent moon wasn’t a lone traveller of the night sky’s - accompanied by a myriad of golden streamers sparking like the clearest of diamonds, it nearly looked as if it was smiling. Even if it was impossible. That was the very first meteor shower she’d got to witness since coming to Teyvat and just sitting there, basking in those celestial sparks left a bittersweet taste in Lumine’s mouth. She’d witness that incomparable beauty with her brother many times. For the first time since she could remember there was no one but loneliness by her side to watch the shower.
A sigh that escaped her lips managed to overlap the sound of rustling winds, announcing a newcomer on the Wangshu Inn’s rooftop. The intruder spoke no word and she indicated his presence solely by the feeling of being watched. Her instincts announced no danger as she turned around to look and a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. And the way she voiced his name was as gentle as that night’s wind. “Xiao. Good evening.”
“What are you doing here all on your own?” the adpeti frowned slightly as he looked around. “Where’s that chirping fairy that can’t keep quiet?”
“Paimon ate too much and is now sleeping the night away,” Lumine chuckled, her gaze returning to watch the sky. “And I had nothing special to do, so I came up here.”
“You wear a strange look on your face, traveller.”
Lumine couldn’t see Xiao’s expression now, but surely it told nothing of his inner thoughts, as usual. Just once, it would be nice to know what he thinks while having conversations with her. “It’s a beautiful night. It brought back some memories that I’ve long buried in the back of my mind.”
“I see. I shan’t disturb you then.”
Rustling of leaves again as the wind picked up with his movement. Something clenched around Lumine’s heart suddenly and in that moment she knew she didn’t wish to be alone. “Xiao.”
Was he still there? Suddenly, she felt too shy to even turn around and check. There was only one way to find out. “Can you… stay with me for a bit?”
For a brief second the world stood still. Ah, maybe she shouldn’t have asked. Why would an adeptus spare any of his time with a mere human? Surely she had overstepped some boundaries. It’s just that ache within the heart would grow to consume her should she be alone right now.
Because of all of that uncertainty gnawing away at her, Lumine didn’t expect to feel another person’s warmth so close when he took a seat next to her, his legs dangling from the rooftop. The most unforeseen outcome.
“Are you watching the meteor shower?”
“Yes. It reminds me of home.”
Once again, she could feel his eyes gazing upon her. As if she was a riddle Xiao was trying to figure out. The silence that fell after was starting to be too much to bear. Pressing down on her chest. Stronger and stronger. Until breathing turned into a grave effort.
“I know! We could make wishes upon a shooting star! It would be kind of cheating during the meteor shower, but it won’t hurt, right?”
“Wish upon a star?” There was a clear confusion in Xiao’s voice mixed with a kind of astonishment that she had heard only from this particular adeptus. He would always speak in such a manner when mulling over some human rites he couldn’t wrap his head around.
“It’s a bit silly. But we used to do that with my brother all the time. You think of a wish when you see a shooting star.”
“And then?”
“Then you hope it comes true.”
“Then it truly is silly. Why would you do something like that? You should strive to achieve your goals, not hope for some greater might to hand the solution to you.”
His words were true, yes. But at the same time one could always use a sip of luck in their life. “It doesn’t have to be anything big. You can wish for the smallest of things. It will make you all the happier if it comes true.”
Of course he wouldn’t have agreed to such a child’s play. A centuries old adeptus couldn’t stoop to a human level like that, could he?
“Do we make a wish at the same time then?”
Lumine’s head darted to the side to realise that Xiao’s molten gold irises were closer than she could have expected them to be. He wasn’t looking at the sky at all. “You’ll do it?”
“It might give me more insight into these strange human customs. I can give it a try.”
“Yes, alright! Then on three, let’s think of a wish! But you have to observe the shooting stars for that.”
Xiao gave a sigh that seemed to be saying ‘what a bother’. However, he made no complaint. “Something simple?”
“Something simple. One… two…”
What do I even wish for? There’s so many things that are far too great for a shooting star’s might. What’s within my reach? What’s something that I can do on my own?
In the corner of her eye she could spot Xiao staring intently up above. And in that moment her heart was set. “Three.”
Just this once. Even if there will be nothing more to it. I wish I could kiss him.
They turned around at the same moment. Locked in a gaze they spoke no word for a few breaths. “Do I…” Xiao was the first to speak. “Share my wish now?”
“No. You can’t say it out loud. Or it won’t come true.”
“That’s a tricky rule. And I wanted to ask what you wished for.”
“I—” Ah, that’s no good. I’m blushing! Indeed, a carmine heat made its way up her neck to settle comfortably on the cheeks, plain for him to see. “Can you close your eyes for a second?”
I can make my own wish come true, can’t I? And then run like hell from embarrassment. “Is that related to your wish?”
“Just do it? Please? And don’t open them until I say so.”
“Just this once. Strange human.”
What am I even doing? That thought crossed her mind briefly before leaning in. Ah, yes. She was drunk on that night, with the twinkling stars intoxicating her even further. The blood pumping through her veins wasn’t hers. Not right then anyway. Some strange magic urged Lumine for something she would otherwise call a desperate step.
Otherwise.
Because right in that piece of eternity putting a palm on his neck felt just right. Being so close felt just right. And finally, tasting the skin of his soft cheeks under her trembling lips felt even more than right. Right there. Right then. Just where she wanted to be. Just how she wanted to be.
It came to an end too soon. A sudden rush of panic made Lumine jolt backwards when Xiao sighed softly under her touch. She pressed both of her palms to her lips, eyes wide with shock. What have I done just now?
His eyelids fluttered open without any urging. Despite being told to wait, that deed of hers must’ve fiddled with his brain as it had done with hers. In some way at least. What would she see in those bottomless pools of gold? Disgust? Loathe?
No. It wasn’t that. They were expressionless.
“What was your wish, Lumine?”
His voice wasn’t harsh. It wasn’t sharp. No. There was a kind of strange softness to it.
“It… doesn’t matter now,” she muttered, her voice coming out muffled by fingers on her lips. “It already came true.”
There was nowhere to run from these eyes drilling into her. If the night got her drunk, then the daylight would surely leave her with a hangover as she would mull over that uncancelled for boldness on her part.
Xiao cocked his head to the side as Lumine’s face grew even redder. He then proceeded to gently wrap his hands around her wrists to pull them away from her face. He kept her arms far apart as he inched closer.
Have I offended him? His adepti pride? Maybe it was some sort of crime or, or… Should I apologise? I should apologise. “I’m—”
Alas, she had no time to say ‘I’m sorry’. Xiao’s lips pressing to hers successfully prevented any words from leaving her mouth altogether. Now it wasn’t the night getting her drunk. The meteor shower lost its mighty magic, losing to an even greater force enthralling Lumine.
That sweetness felt akin to a sin. So enveloping that, by gods, it should be illegal. So peaceful that it was too ethereal to be real. Too close to call it a dream. Too warm to be a product of one’s imagination.
And too close to even breathe.
He kissed her. He really did kiss her. And even as he reluctantly pulled away Lumine was still wrapped in the soft safety of that caress. It took everything in her not to lean in again.
That molten gold wasn’t expressionless anymore. It spoke volumes. Louder, more complex than words. “Xiao,” no other word would be formed by her vocal chords. Only that – his name. Anything else would just disturb this piece of the eternal time they came to share.
He was still there, just a hair’s breadth away. His fingers still gently wrapped around her wrists. Shooting stars were further than a world away now. “Lumine.”
“Wh… what was your wish?”
“It doesn’t matter now,” Xiao hummed, the voice along with his breath settling atop her skin. “It already came true.”
Just one more time.
I wish to hear you speak my name.