Work Text:
It wasn’t strange when Lumine would ask Amber to hang out at her home inside the Serenitea Pot. What was strange was when the Outrider would request it for her upcoming birthday. And she asked to be somewhere alone with Lumine. Amber had remembered the night sky in the teapot from past visits, but she never had a chance to appreciate it. The skies in the teapot, to Lumine, were results of a simulated system created by Madame Ping, but she was still able to get a similar feeling when she decided to sleep in the teapot.
For the past few weeks, she worked hard and long to get two days to herself. After her required daily commissions for the Adventurer’s Guild, Lumine would spend time in her teapot home to decorate it into something Amber would enjoy. The Honorary Knight made a vow to herself that Amber's birthday was a day she would never miss, no matter what.
On the day of, Lumine exited her teapot realm and returned to the Knights of Favonius guest room after spending the last day and a half inside. Because the world inside was so immense, she couldn’t stay too long. The vastness of it made her realize how big and lonely it could get in there. While the teapot had the means of getting away from society from time to time, hearing the voices of Teyvat reminded her that she wasn't alone.
She could hear Jean’s light, but powerful footsteps heading back to her office. Lisa’s usually with her, but Lumine couldn’t tell from sounds alone. Maybe they were escorting Klee to solitary confinement again, after hearing Klee’s saddened voice as they passed the door. But only for a half a day, and with Jean’s supervision as always. Klee, Lisa, and Jean would be going to the teapot later. Lumine heard the other knights and even Diluc were going to be busy.
With no time and no desire to sleep, Lumine walked over to her window and opened the window as far as it could go. The wind was gentle as it always is in Mondstadt. The city of freedom really lived up to her name, everyone living their lives to the fullest. Free from any god or archon, and there are many who chose to put their faith in Barbatos. To the Honorary Knight, she was free to travel to the ends of Teyvat and help Mondstadt from time to time.
Mondstadt, to Lumine, was as close to feeling at home as her true home.
She leaned over the window sill and closed her eyes, feeling the wind greet her. She took a breath in and began listening to the outside world. She could hear the patrolling knights going in and out of the headquarters. Some switching shifts, some going for breaks, and some ready to start the new day. The sound of the knights' armor gave Lumine a sense of protection. And hopefully, to all of Mondstadters. Would it be too presumptuous to think they felt the same way when they see Lumine in town as well? That’s something she didn’t know nor did she want or need to know.
She could hear Venti’s lyre in the courtyard, singing tales of Barbatos, as he usually did. She didn’t know if it was conceited of him to do that or to hide his true identity. But Venti was always a good person at heart, valuing his people’s freedom from an archon's rule. So maybe she can excuse him bragging about his own stories. So long he doesn't get a big head.
And then, her favorite sound entered her ears: the sound of wind gliders flowing in the wind. She could hear them entering the city from above, coming into hearing distance faster than any she’s heard from other flyers. To the traveller, there was no one else who handled her glider as rough and as reckless as she did. Losing control here was a part of her everyday flights, as Lumine heard from her most recent reason for getting her license, yet again, revoked.
“Wo-woah! Look out!” Amber called out as Lumine let out a sigh. She opened her eyes with a sweet smile, seeing the Outrider coming in fast. Moving aside to let Amber land inside the Guest Room, Lumine crossed her arms to look at her, “Man, that was a doozy.”
“Amber…” Lumine groaned in disappointment.
“Oh, hey there, Mina. Thank the Archons you had your window open or I would have hit the side of the wall,” Amber laughed off her messy landing. Lumine looked away, cheeks tinted red, at the sound of her nickname. She usually didn’t like the concept of them, but when she was first called ‘Mina’ by Amber, it wasn’t bad to her. In fact, she liked it.
She shook the thought from her head, trying to scold Amber in Jean’s place, “Amber, you need to be careful when flying. What if someone else caught you? You got your license back last week, right?”
“It’s fine, it’s fine,” Amber repeated as she got up to her feet and turned her attention to Lumine, “I’m being extra careful this time.”
“That’s what you told me last week and Otto caught you carrying something heavy while flying…” Lumine couldn’t raise her voice any higher, lest someone would overhear, “And Cyrus told me you fell from the sky when clearing out a hilichurl camp nearby. You can always call for me. Paimon is useful for other things than being emergency food.”
“Awww, Is someone worried about me? How thoughtful of you,” Amber walked up to Lumine to tease her, "But thank you, Mina. I really appreciate you looking out for me."
Someone has to , Lumine kept the thought to herself as Amber ruffled the blonde's hair a bit. After letting out a sigh to relieve her own nerves, she smiled at the Outrider and greeted, "Happy Birthday, Amber."
Amber was taken back by her response and smiled, her own cheeks turning a shade of red. Sheepishly scratching her cheek, she looked away, "Th-thank you, Mina." Amber couldn't hide her happiness. She turned her attention to the Serenitea Pot if only to distract herself from the embarrassment, "O-oh, were you decorating your teapot? It must be a lot of hard work there, huh?"
"It's a lot easier now than when I first started. It'd never turn out the way I wanted it to be, but I got a hang of it after a month or so," Lumine joined her to look at the teapot. She turned to Amber, "Is there anything you want to do for now? The teapot won't be ready until later."
"Oh, in that case," Amber smiled and took Lumine's hand, "let's go to Good Hunter for lunch. I'm feeling-"
"-Sticky Honey Roast?" Lumine and Amber said in unison. If anyone spent five minutes with the Crimson Knight, anyone can read her like an open book. Sure the book had her secrets, but she'll tell you in time if ever.
"I knew it," Lumine smiled through Amber's expected answer. She looked at the Outrider and followed her to the restaurant at the town square, unknowingly holding hands the entire way.
***
At the restaurant, Lumine stood in line while the other girl and Paimon patiently sat at the table. She was playing with her fingers, trying not to stare at Amber for too long. As of late, it’s been hard to keep the Outrider out of her mind. During Lumine’s travels, she’d think of souvenirs and gifts to bring back to her: be it a stuffed rabbit made with a special fabric, a postcard she’s made, or a charm that reminded her of Amber. The Outlander took a deep breath after a quick peek at her “friend,” she’s decided to call her. Though “friend” doesn’t seem to describe what she was feeling. The thought was put aside as Lumine arrived at the counter.
"Good afternoon, Sara," Lumine greeted with a wave, “Good Hunter seems busy today”.
“Hello, Lumine. Yeah, in celebration of Amber’s birthday, we have a discount on her favorite foods. The girl does so much on her own, we try to show our appreciation as often as we possibly could for her,” Sara responded.
The Outlander understood wanting to show appreciation to the Outrider. She does a lot on her own, and from the times she’s talked with her, Amber didn’t need thanks for doing her job. When Lumine learned she was the only Outrider, risking her life to protect Mondstadt, she remembers asking Amber to help teach her to be an Outrider herself to lighten the load. But Amber thought it best for Lumine to focus on her own goals first: to find Aether. And it was that push that Lumine wanted to show how much she-
“Lumine?”
Lumine was taken from her own thoughts by Sara, “H-huh?”
“You were staring into space for a bit. Something on your mind?”
The Outlander looked around to assess her surroundings, seeing a line forming behind her. She shook her head back into reality, "Sorry, I'm planning a big thing for Amber and I'm hoping I got everything the way she likes.”
"Considering it's from you, Lumine, I'm sure she'll love even the worst handmade thing you have. She loves talking about you and the adventures you tell her about in the letters you send her," Sara smiled in a mischievous way, "and the gifts you give her always bring such a smile to her face."
Lumine couldn't help but turn red. She scratched her cheek and looked away in embarrassment, "I hope I'm not causing that big of a trouble for her or the Knights." After letting out a sigh of relief, the Outlander looked at the menu, “Anyway, Sara, I’d like to order one Sticky Honey Roast and two Fisherman’s Toast.”
“Got it,” Sara wrote in the order.
Lumine paid for the order and walked over to join Amber and Paimon, who were in the middle of a conversation.
“No, I’m serious. There’s this mountain in Liyue where on a clear night, you can be so close to the stars, it’ll be like touching them. And if you know the secret, there is a place to sit and hang out really high up. Lumine loves going there a lot,” Paimon noted, gaining Amber’s full attention. It’s no secret that whenever Lumine and Paimon come to Mondstadt, they tell their stories to the Outrider, which always brings a smile to her face.
“Wow! To be up there with the clouds and the birds. I’d love to be there one day,” Amber spoke dreamily, looking up to the sky.
“I’ll take you sometime, and Paimon doesn’t have to be there,” Lumine smiled, only for Paimon to hit her in response.
“Hey! Paimon doesn’t appreciate you leaving her! Hmph!” she yelled at her.
As the conversation continued, Sara came by to drop off Lumine's order at the table. The Sticky Honey Roast was placed in front of Amber while the toast was in front of Lumine and Paimon. The trio continued to catch up on each other's lives from Lumine's travelling stories and the people she's met to Amber's new missions and a possibility of getting new Outriders soon. While Amber felt ready to have her own team, Lumine was happy that she’d have a group of people to look after. Lumine joked how they’d have to be ready for rambunctious Amber and her reckless behavior to keep up, to which Amber responded with a playful punch to the blonde’s arm.
Amber and Lumine spent the rest of day roaming around Mondstadt. They went from Good Hunter to With Wind Comes Glory, where Lumine had commissioned a small pendant of a lily with a rabbit in the center. The Outlander helped with putting the necklace on and Amber insisted she didn’t need to get her a gift. Lumine said nothing as they continued walking around Mondstadt. They stopped by Floral Whisper to look at the flowers and Lumine hoped to buy some seeds for the tea pot. She thought of making a greenhouse filled with Small Lamp Grass and meant to buy seeds while she was in town. But because of the renovations to the teapot as of late, Lumine didn’t have time before Amber would be visiting. Good thing it’s on sale today .
They spent a portion of the day by Cider Lake, where Lumine and Amber would play in the water. Paimon had suggested a good swim because of the heat and Lumine would oblige. Amber didn’t want to, however the blonde had other ways to get Amber in the water. If Amber didn’t want to go swimming with Lumine, it was fine, but she wasn’t giving up without trying.
“Aww, I was hoping to compete with you in a race too. I guess I’ll swim on my own then,” Lumine teased. She walked toward the lake a bit, removing her boots, lilies, feathers, and her dress off for the Outrider to see. And to help with her persuasion of getting Amber to swim with her, if the traveller was going to be real honest.
Amber would let out a sigh, “You appealing to my competitive nature is not fair, Mina.” She dressed down to her undergarments, making sure she took special care of her new necklace. The Outrider secured it by placing it and wrapping it in her jacket, something she needed to keep in mind.
“Oh but how will I ever get you to do the things I want you to," Lumine jokes, trying to make little-to-no eye contact with the dressed-down knight until they made it to the water. However, the other girl had different plans.
"You cheeky-, come here you!," Amber charged at Lumine, which the blonde anticipated and dodged. Amber chased Lumine until they reached the water where she started to splash the traveller, the two enjoying themselves, "Take this!"
"Haha, okay, okay. I won't tease you anymore," the traveller blocked herself from the Outrider's barrage of water attacks.
When Amber stopped splashing the water around, she held a proud and boastful smile towards Lumine, “You better not!”
Lumine cleared her throat and looked around for a starting point and a finishing line. She smiled and looked back at Amber, “Alright, we can start at that rock and swim to the bridge and back. Sounds good?”
"Perfect. You may be the Honorary Knight, but I'm still going to win this race," Amber swam to the starting point, swimming by Lumine on her way there. As if to show off to the other girl. And Lumine was definitely looking.
After there was a bit of distance, Lumine followed after the brunette. They took a quick break to be at full stamina before the race. Lumine took a deep breath as she prepared for the race. She and Amber got into starting position and Paimon got in front of them to be the referee, as she always was.
I have to focus. I have to focus. I have to-
"Go!" Paimon shouted as Amber had a head start while her competitor jumped in shock.
Lumine hopped into the water and swam as fast as she could to catch up. She's never lost to Amber, and even if it was her birthday, the traveller wouldn't start now. And she knew Amber wanted a competition where all involved gave their all.
But when Amber came into view, Lumine couldn't help but stare in-between strokes. The Outrider was definitely athletic, having a toned body. Not too muscular, but still strong. Something Lumine really liked about her. But what really attracted the blonde to the brunette was her dedication to the competitions the two would always be on. Be it running, fighting, swimming, gliding, Amber had this boast of confidence that she'd win every time. Even though she'd lose to Lumine, it's nice to know Amber had good sportsmanship when it came to it. As of late, Lumine noticed how much better at the competitions Amber was getting.
"...mine…"
Amber diving into the water enticed Lumine, looking graceful as she turned to swim back around. Wait...
"Lumine! The bridge! Turn!" Paimon called out just as Lumine rammed herself headfirst into the side of the stone bridge. And before passing out, Lumine saw both Paimon and Amber heading for her.
***
She awoke again in her bedroom, in the teapot. Her vision started to focus as she sat up, head hurting from her bump. She noticed she was dressed in her usual traveling outfit, so she must have gotten dressed. But without the memory, she figured Paimon dressed her. At least, she prayed it was Paimon.
Lumine rested back on her bed, "So help me archons, if it wasn't Paimon…"
"If it wasn't Paimon, what?" A voice responded to Lumine, making the girl sit up and look around.
"Wh-who's there!"
Lisa sat at the small wooded seat in the far left corner, reading one of the many books Amber has told Lumine to put away time and time again. She set the current book on top of a pile and turned to face Lumine, who had a small cross bandage over the bridge of her nose.
“Oh, Lisa... I didn’t see you there,” Lumine relaxed her muscles. She laid back down in hopes to get some energy back and to relieve a bit of dizziness. She let out a breath, "I assume I missed the surprise?"
"Oh yes. You missed the biggest surprise of all, when Amber carried you in here unconscious," Lisa gave a knowing look, "she was barely dressed when she came in looking for Barbara. I wonder what could have happened, hmmm?”
For weeks, the Outlander had spent weeks planning Amber’s birthday. She went the extra mile to prepare a surprise party for her while in the teapot, talking with Jean and the other knights about what Amber would like to do as far as activities and food was. She had previously cooked her known favorite foods, even had Jean promise to make coffee when she arrived. If it wasn't for her getting hurt, everything would have been perfect.
Lumine let out a disappointing sigh as she looked away from Lisa’s direction, covering her eyes with her arms. Her face and ears were red, she imagined. And Lumine admitted, “We were swimming at the lake… and I was distracted…”
Lisa lightly chuckled, “I see. And what distracted you?”
The younger girl didn't respond to Lisa. She kept her face hidden as wild thoughts frantically ran through her mind. With every thought, especially when she remembered the day with Amber, Lumine wanted to hide in a hole and never come out.
Lisa sat at Lumine’s bedside, and she fixed Lumine's disheveled hair, the other girl not moving an inch. She started to speak in her motherly, older sister voice, "There’s nothing wrong with liking someone, Lumine.” Lisa set her hand by her side as she turned her attention to the door, “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve embarrassed or hurt myself in front of people I like.”
“How did that turn out,” Lumine was curious, lowering her hand while still attempting to hide herself. Her eyes were focused towards Lisa, though she didn’t move her head.
“Horrible. I had to go to Barbara once or twice a week.”
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?”
“What I’m saying is that you don’t have to try so hard for her.”
Lumine looked away. She’s Lisa, of course she would have noticed how Lumine’s been whenever it came to Amber. She sat up, finally, as Lisa turned to her. The traveller looked to her comforters, “I don’t know what to do when it comes to her. Everytime I think I have a handle on it, I end up ramming into a wall...literally. And end up being more of a trouble to her than anything.”
The woman gave some thought to her words before standing and lending out a hand, “Well, the only thing we can do now is to go and find out, right? See how Amber felt about today. Isn’t that what you usually do?”
The traveller took her time to think about her next move. Lisa made a good point in which Lumine was always out finding truths alongside finding her brother. And she never stopped searching unless the day was important to her. Amber’s birthday was one of these days, yet Lumine never knew why until talking with Lisa. Lumine knew why any day involving Amber was important to her, and she had to confront it.
Without another moment of hesitation, Lumine took Lisa’s hand and was pulled out of bed slowly.
***
Out on the ground floor, everyone was enjoying the festivities. The living room area was decorated with various party supplies, and a big cutout banner saying “Happy Birthday, Amber!”. In the middle of the room was a long table with a bunch of food and drinks spread out. The centerpiece was a Sweet Madame, one of Lumine’s specialty foods to make. On the left side of the Madame was Sticky Honey Roast. On the opposite side, vegetarian options for Lisa, including Fried Tofu, Radish Veggie Soup, and Spaghetti. Sides included small fried fish, salad, rice, and potatoes.
With the guest of honor’s thoughts occupied and Lumine resting in bed, the cake continued to sit in the kitchen untouched. While waiting for the two women upstairs to come down, Klee was drawing at the table by the fireplace with Jean and Albedo accompanying her. As usual, Venti and Paimon were at the bar area, drinking whatever drinks Lumine had collected over her travels, as well as from Diluc she got a week before. He probably snuck in some alcoholic drinks himself. Barbara waited with Eula and Amber by the stairway.
Amber was dressed in her Outrider outfit, freshly washed. She had a towel around her neck, clutching to the ends of it out of sheer nerves. She made low groans to show for it.
Barbara lent the Outrider a comforting hand to her shoulder, “She’s going to be fine. Just a little bit of rest and she’ll be back down.”
“I feel bad I’m holding off the party. Lumine worked hard here and we’re here waiting for her to wake up,” Amber looked up the stairs, hoping to see the blonde. She hung her head when she wasn’t there and pressed her back against the wall, “She seemed fine until we made it to the lake.”
"It sounds like someone was focused on something else. Maybe she was excited to get you here that she was focused on the race?" Eula put her opinion in, starting to think aloud, "That's something to note for when I exact my vengeance on her."
“I wouldn’t count on it a second time, Eula,” Lumine’s voice came from around the corner with Lisa, “I don’t plan to lose in our little competition.”
“Lumine!” Amber rushed up the stairs and hugged her, burying her face into Lumine’s shoulder, and Lisa, giving a telling smile, walked past them. Paimon, upon hearing the Outrider’s voice, glided to Lumine as well. The two were able to keep their footing, despite the force from Amber’s hug, “Are you okay? Are you hurt? If you need more rest, you can-”
“Amber, I’m fine. I’ve been hit by stronger things than a wall,” Lumine reassured her, patting the other girl’s head. It was no wonder that Amber was worried. Friend or not, Amber cared for people and Lumine knew that from both experience and stories she’s heard from various Mondstadters.
“You almost drowned. How are you 'fine'?" Paimon argued as Lumine turned to her direction, "Clearly something got to you in the middle of the race."
Lumine blushed as she looked down. She dismissed Paimon and took Amber's hand, "Come on, since we're all here, let's get your party started. Barbara and I made as much of your favorite foods as we can, and we have desserts too."
"Lumine…" Amber was noticeably worried still, but she joined the others with a smile on her face, "Alright then."
The festivities started as everyone started to enjoy themselves. They played some games, including Rebels and Hunter, board games involving strategy and critical thinking, and games Lumine would teach them from her own memories with Aether. The games she remembered playing with her brother were some of her favorite memories, and hopefully, her friends and fellow knights would find it fun.
The Outlander was asked if she was okay multiple times throughout the night, to which she responded with comforting and reassuring words. She can be pretty convincing to those around her, but if her time with Lisa wasn’t any indication, Lumine’s mind was running wild. While playing games and partaking in festivities, the traveller attempted to sort her feelings for her closest friend, and hoped no one would ask about it. It was Amber's special day, after all, and she didn't want it ruined anymore than it already was.
It was time for cake and even though it took only one person to finish decorating it, a lot of people wanted to participate. Barbara came out of the kitchen with it and placed it in front of Amber. Lumine had cut up some fresh berries and placed them on the cake. Jean and Klee added candles to the cake and Eula would lit them up. Everyone would, then, surround Amber and sing "Happy Birthday" to her.
“Make a wish, Amber!” Venti cheered, and Paimon and the others cheered in agreement.
“...a wish?” Amber softly spoke aloud as she gave it some thought before looking at Lumine. She smiled and nodded her head. With a wish in her heart, Amber blew out her candles. A roar of clapping at various speeds echoed throughout the house. Amber cut the cake herself and passed them around, the first going to Jean, and then around to Lumine.
Jean spent her time with Lisa in the library while Albedo and Klee were in the guest bedroom on the ground floor. Venti had played his harp in the courtyard with Barbara humming to herself. Eula and Paimon were with the two, listening to the music.
Lumine was up the tallest mountain in Emerald Peak, laying down to look at the clear stars. She was connecting them randomly. After spotting the Lepus Constellation, her heart stopped for a moment. Lumine took a breath and put her hands under her head. She continued looking at the constellation as she let out a sigh, "How did I end up here?"
"You scaled a mountain," Amber joined her from behind, sitting next to her.
"Haha, I guess that's physically true," Lumine wasn't surprised by her presence. They had planned to watch the stars , "But I love being as close to them as possible."
Amber smiled as she laid next to her, looking up at the stars.
"So how was the party? Did you enjoy it?" Lumine turned to Amber, "I didn't overdo it, did I?"
Amber shook her head, "I really enjoyed the party, Mina. You did a good job on the food and the games you planned were really fun. I want to play them again soon."
The traveller gave a look of pride as she continued to look at the night sky, "You're going to give me a big head, Bunny."
The Outrider let out a laugh, “I’m sure you already have one, miss I’ve-taken-down-gods-before.” The other girl laughed in response, in hopes Amber didn’t hear the pet name she gave her. Amber looked up at the night sky, hands to her stomach, and her eyes followed the trail of stars from nothing to the moon directly above them.
As Amber looked at the stars, Lumine couldn’t help but look at Amber, as she did all day. And she couldn’t help it. Amber, to her, was very beautiful, kind, generous, and… like stars. She was a light in darkness that would get Lumine to a place she called home. She turned over to her side to appreciate the scene beside her. She spent many weeks in this lonely world, creating a world the Outrider would enjoy and love. Within those said weeks, Lumine had planned a party for her and commissioned the necklace currently around her neck.
Maybe she did try too hard, but if it was for Amber, Lumine would do all she could.
Amber noticed, got noticeably nervous, took a breath, and turned to her side to look at the other girl. She reached to touch the bandages on Lumine’s nose, “Does it hurt?”
“Not anymore."
Amber's hand lingered there.
Lumine dug her face into the Outrider’s palm, her eyes never leaving Amber’s, “Didn’t you want to watch the stars?”
“I am.”
“Oh? Are you now?”
“This particular star is really bright. When we were lost, this star guided us home. It protected us and gave us new hope for the future. It’s my favorite star,” Amber confessed, leaving Lumine speechless and her face red, “Now, I wonder if the star will tell me how it got hurt.”
Lumine let out a sigh if only to relax, “Nice try Amber, but I’m not talking.”
“Not even as a birthday wish. Dumb star.” She playfully teased.
"Surely, you wished for something better than for a star to speak of her woes," Lumine teased back.
Amber's face turned red, but she didn't show signs of being embarrassed, "Of course I did. I know the star has her secrets. I wished for something better, but it'll take time for it to come true."
"Oh, now I'm curious. Tell me what you wished for." Lumine lifted herself up, eyes glowing with curiosity.
The Outrider took her hand back and shook her head, Nope. I want this wish to come true. So I can't tell you or anyone."
Disappointed, Lumine pushed on Amber's shoulder, "Meanie".
Amber only laughed as a response. The two girls looked at each other for the rest of their time together on the mountain.
The traveller could be childish sometimes, but it was usually around this girl beside her. She couldn't help herself. Like at the restaurant and the lake, even the weeks preceding Amber's birthday, Lumine's mind ran crazy and hyper focused on Amber. She knew why now, but maybe she doesn't have to admit it now. When their lives and paths lined up, when they grew up a little bit more...
"...I'll tell you."