Chapter Text
Lumine reckons it's about time to wake up.
Judging by the warmth of the sunlight streaming through her open window, the laughter of the children on the streets, the engines of cars going by — it’s probably well past noon.
The weather is a stark contrast between now and last night. She barely remembers the soft swish of rain on the leaves before turning in for the night.
A buyer had dropped the commission after deciding they didn’t like her art.
Honestly, she was a bit dejected hearing that. Now, she was more determined to make every work her best work, and so she ended up staying up a little too late for her liking, and seeing that she was someone who didn’t mind staying up quite late- it was probably a very unreasonable time.
Oh. If her windows were open, and it was raining then—
Within seconds, Lumine is out of bed and rushing over to her desk, inspecting the properties occupying it.
Seeing that her canvases weren’t soaked, her paints weren’t rained on and most importantly: her tablet wasn't wet, she let out a sigh of relief.
How tragic would it be if her finished paintings and her beloved tablet were ruined. She might’ve thrown a tantrum.
No longer able to fall asleep again, she dragged herself out of her room and into the living room. She was met by her housemate, Hu Tao, standing with her back to the door of their apartment.
“Lumi! Could you come here? The uh…” Lumine raises an eyebrow, walking over to her friend.
“We’ve seemed to have both bought ginger, and now we have too many.” Hu Tao said, in a slightly hushed voice.
She felt her stomach drop to her feet.
“Could you send some away?”
That was code for: Childe is here, please make him go away.
______________
She had caught Childe embracing another woman two months ago. Even departing with a kiss.
Lumine didn’t know what to feel. Anger? Sadness? Hatred?
Truth be told, she felt all of them at once. She was absolutely furious… and heartbroken.
After all, he had been good to her. Brought her around the corners of Liyue Harbor, showered her with affection. He had once even said in their early days that even if his parents didn’t approve of her, he’d still stay by her side.
For once, she was a normal, happy adult living a good life.
Up until the incident, she liked to call it.
She had blocked his number, his parents’ numbers, siblings’ numbers and all of his social media. Sent the belongings he left in her room to his place. Practically erasing everything that reminded her of him.
He hadn’t even reached out to her. That fueled her anger.
Now here he was, right at her doorstep.
Lumine didn’t bother fixing up her appearance and swung the door open. Who was she trying to impress, anyways? Definitely not that scumbag.
She was met by the tall figure she was used to. Messy ginger hair. Ocean blue for his eyes. A few freckles scattered on his face
She narrowed her eyes. “What do you want, Childe. ” Lumine spat out the name like it was foul.
He pursed his lips hearing the name everyone else called him, a reminder that he was just a nobody to her now. No longer Ajax to her.
“Lumine, I—“
“You what? You’re sorry? Okay, but your actions still remain. What makes you so sure that a half-ass apology will make me forgive you?” She interrupted him coldly, not wanting to hear anything.
“Well here's the thing! I really mean it when I say I’m sorry! Really!” He protested. “So if you could just accept my apology, forgive me and let’s move on—“
Childe was once again interrupted by Lumine.
“Did you even hear what I said? Your apology doesn’t undo anything you did, and I have no intention of forgiving you!” She scoffs, so very ready to slam the door in his face. The audacity he had to show up now and two months late.
“Look, I understand you hate me but could you just please accept my apology, and I’ll be on my way!” His voice was beginning to raise. Great. That was possibly the last thing she wanted: for Childe to be angry. Although he was a laid back guy, he was probably the worst when he was angry.
“Hey, hey. Lumi already made it clear that she doesn’t want your apology. Now why can’t you accept that , huh?” A new voice.
Hu Tao had walked up to the Snezhnayan man, clearly not intimidated by the height difference.
“Hm. You understand she hates you, eh? Then isn’t that your cue to get out of our doorway? Also, maybe get out of Lumi’s life? Permanently, if you will.” She challenged. Hu Tao could keep going all day if she wanted to. Unfortunately for Childe, she wasn’t in the mood to grace him with her debate skills.
Childe let out a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose before finally throwing up his hands in defeat. “Fine! I’ll leave! I don’t know why you had to be so stubborn!” Clearly not going to deal with this, especially Hu Tao, possibly the most persistent person alive in Teyvat.
He stepped away from the door and disappeared down the hall. Lumine watched as her housemate poked her head through the door frame. “And I don’t know why you had to be so persistent!” She called after him.
The door closed with a small click and Lumine let out a big sigh.
“… Thanks… Hu Tao.”
“Hm? Of course! That guy was starting to piss me off anyway.”
Lumine kept her eyes on the ground. A habit her housemate was familiar with.
“My, my. You know it’s quite easy to tell you’re trying to hide your tears whenever you don’t look up.” Hu Tao tilted her head, an attempt to try and meet the blonde girls’ eyes.
Lumine sniffed. “He’s finally gone. Hah. I should be happy. So why am I…” She began to wipe her tears with the back of her hands, before slender fingers pried them away from her face.
“It’s okay. You’ve never gone through this before. This is new to you, and you don’t know what to feel. Don’t be sad, and it’s okay to cry. Someday, you’ll be very happy again.”
Classic Hu Tao, always so carefree and living without a care in the world, yet so understanding of anyone and so sincere.
“Thanks again for being here.”
And the brunette only smiled in response.
“I think I’m… going to finish my commissions now.” Lumine said quietly.
______________
Lumine sat at her desk for a long time.
At least she only has one commission left. Six hours had passed, making it eight pm now. Hu Tao had popped in earlier, scolding her for missing dinner while bringing in a plate of Liyue cuisine, sent by Xiangling herself.
In the middle of lining her latest piece, she was startled by her phone ringing, causing her line to go astray.
Lumine cursed under her breath, quickly undoing her mistake. She silently thanked that it was modern day now, and the undo button existed before picking up the call.
It was Ganyu, a friend she made in high school, and her very first friend in Liyue too.
“Hello?”
“Um… Lumine… I have something to tell you.”
Lumine made sure to note her shaky voice.
“Yeah, go ahead.”
“Mother has… passed away—“ Ganyu paused to sniff. “ —and I wanted to ask if I could possibly commission you to paint a portrait of her…”
Oh.
Oh.
Someday she’ll be happy.
( and that day is not today. )